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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



■ I 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 



A NARRATIVE 



DESCRIPTIVE OF LIFE IN THE MATERIAL 
AND SPIRITUAL SPHERES 



C_ V 



AS TRANSCRIBED BY A CO-OPERATIVE SPIRIT BAND THROUGH THE 
MEDIUMSHIP OF LIZZIE S. BANGS, INDEPENDENT SLATE 
WRITING PSYCHE 




INSPIRATIONAL VERSE OFFERINGS AS GIVEN THROUGH THE MEDIA OF 

"WHITE ROSE" 



ART PRODUCTIONS OBTAINED THROUGH "AZUR" AND THE MEDIUMSHIP OF 

A. CAMPBELL 







PUBLISHED FOR MARGUERITE HUNTER 









5>V 



* Copyright, 1894, 
By C. H. Horine. 

Right of Translation Reserved. 



INTRODUCTION. 

In presenting this book to the public an expla- 
nation is hardly necessary, and, were it not for the 
fact that the contents of the book were obtained 
by extraordinary processes, though uniformly nat- 
ural and spiritual, but for reasons which need not 
be mentioned, seemingly beyond the present reach, 
methods and understanding of the material scien- 
tist, and hence needed a few brief words of expla- 
nation to the uninitiated reader, even what now 
shall be said might well have been omitted. The 
contents of the book, most simple in diction, 
straightforward in purpose and pure in character, 
need no interpreter, but are their own exponent; 
but their origin and the marvelous manner of their 
translation from the spirit world to our earth plane, 
which form an essential groundwork and feature 
of the book — for were the book at all or but of 
human origin, the teachings and facts therein con- 
tained might be regarded as preposterous, fictitious, 
or possibly absurd — need the explanation which we 
shall give. 



4 INTRODUCTION 

It is needless to say that strange occurrences 
and mysterious phenomena have ever been in the 
world since the birth of man and that they have 
been relative to and always associated with the 
conduct and history of every race. The more 
religious, spiritual and receptive the people were, 
notwithstanding the grade of their culture and civ- 
ilization, the more numerous and pronounced were 
these occult demonstrations, and on the other hand, 
the more material and beastly they were the less 
would these signs of the spirit be. Some said in 
ignorance that these strange things were super- 
natural in their origin and were the direct inter- 
position of Deity, either to avenge Himself upon 
His children for their untoward wickedness or to 
justify the lives of His saints and prophets and 
thus warn their enemies, the hard-hearted, or 
worshipers of idols. Others still said that they 
were the work of the devil, and those that could 
not account for them by natural law and causes 
traced them to credulity, imagination or ignorance. 
Yet, every bible or religious book which purports 
to have come from the skies by or through inspired 
writers or media, contained its quota of these 
wonderful and seemingly mysterious phenomena. 
The Christian Bible is one long narrative of such 



INTRODUCTION 5 

phenomena from Genesis to Revelation, and the 
works of the prophets, not excepting those of the 
woman of Endor, together with the alleged mira- 
cles of Jesus and the marvelous acts of the apos- 
tles, show how plenteous had been the outpouring 
of the spirit in those early days. 

The soul cycles in and through periods of spir- 
itual waves. The world is seemingly favored at 
such times, for then the angelic hosts draw near 
to the earth and do a mighty spiritual work. This 
was peculiarly the case at the close of the old dis- 
pensation when the minor prophets, crowd- 
ing the threshold of the new age, voiced the new 
inspirations of the spirit of truth which, then and 
later, untier John and Jesus more abundantly bore 
fruit and blest the world. And we find that in the 
new Messianic order the phenomena and teachings 
of the Christ became so overpowering and exalted, 
so irresistible and eloquent, that they worked a rev- 
olution among the masses and classes that over- 
threw the priestly Jewish hierarchy and degenerate 
but imperial Rome. These cycles mark unfold- 
ments as well as revolutions and bespeak progress 
as well as destruction and decay. In all old or- 
ders of social, political and religious life the new 
order, like the rose in the bush, is concealed. It 



6 INTRODUCTION 

but really needs the transformation or the decay 
of the external form or vestment to let out the 
new apocalypse. Then the new order moves on in 
its progress until a new inbreathing caMs for a new 
outbreathing and the advanced age of light that 
colors the rising morn is born. Thus the chain 
lengthens link on link through the years and the 
prophesy comes literally true daily, "I came not 
to destroy but to fulfill." 

And so modern Spiritualism, since its advent in 
1848 and yet farther back by twenty years, came 
with the old yet ever new message of life and im- 
mortality, of truth and love. It, consistent with 
all true revelations of the spirit, aimed to free man 
from the domination of materialism and conse- 
quent atheism, infidelity and sin that thrived un- 
der its sway, and to teach him of the facts and 
reality of spirit, his own deathlessness 'and spirit- 
ual power and the soul benefits to be gained by 
such revelation. Thus began the harmonial phi- 
losophy, science and religion of Spiritualism as 
modernly conceived and received. From that day 
to this the old and new world have felt the power 
of the spirit and slowly but surely its peaceful and 
imperial encroachments have been watched and 
studied by science and the Church. Now, amid 



INTRODUCTION 7 

the many tokens of the spirit as given or revealed 
through the diversified phenomena and phases of 
medial and spirit power, this humble work of the 
spirit, this book, is sent to the world to mark a 
new step and unfoldment of the soul along the line 
of angelic ministry and human well-being. The 
book is sent for a purpose and the intelligences 
who sent it know that it will fulfill that purpose. 
The circumstances that led to its translation 
from the spiritual spheres are of themselves a won- 
derful demonstration of the book's intrinsic worth 
and its heavenly origin. The author of this intro- 
duction, whose guide dictated for the author of the 
narrative the present form of the book, was im- 
pressed a year ago, March, 1893, to write a short 
protest against the Meyer's bill, a bill which was 
then pending in the Illinois state legislature and 
which was a stab at mediumship, Spiritualism and 
the exercise of the rights of a citizen of his consti- 
tutional, religious freedom; and having written it, 
he sent it to a Chicago newspaper, in which it 
shortly appeared. It was read by the hero of this 
narrative, Mr. C. H. Horine, and was so thor- 
oughly appreciated and approved of by him, he 
being a Spiritualist and the writer a Unitarian cler- 
gyman, that he sent a congratulatory letter to him. 



8 INTRODUCTION 

Strange to say, this one letter led to a steady cor- 
respondence and friendship between them, which, 
by a series of collateral, both material and spirit- 
ual events, of which they were not aware but which 
seemed to come as the evolution and product of 
the friendly union, brought about the outworking 
in material form of the design of the spirit intelli- 
gences who, it was afterward learned, first inspired 
the writing of the protest and the letter of congrat- 
ulation that followed, and secondly, brought to- 
gether by such means the forces and affected the 
organization of the spirit bands and co-workers on 
both sides for the work and completion of the 
translation of the book. That such combination 
of forces and intelligences was necessary to the 
successful unfoldment of the work, the guides of 
the media who assisted the author of the book 
spiritually, and the mediums themselves through 
whom the book in all of its parts came, do attest. 
This was not done in the dark but openly and in 
the daylight. The guide of "White Rose," who 
dictated materially and inspirationally the form of 
the book for the author in spirit life, together with 
the guides of Lizzie S. Bangs who assisted the 
spirit band who transcribed the book in material 
writing and who call themselves "Everlasting 



INTRODUCTION 9 

Unity," also "Azur," the guide of A. Campbell, who 
precipitated the paintings on porcelain, and Mr. 
C. H. Horine, his spirit friends and she who is 
his real co-partner, the heroine of the narrative, 
all had to be brought together and their forces 
combined before one word or symbol of the narra- 
tive could be received. All this elaboration of the 
program of work was so silently planned and un- 
folded, as a whole unconsciously to the earth me- 
dia, that each one of the mediums employed knew 
of the book but not of the part he or she should 
play or take until the first instructions, which were 
given in November, 1893, had been received. 
Then the earth instruments looked back over the 
past months and saw and realized the purpose and 
design in all that had transpired. Thus the book 
was begun and thus it was ended by "Everlasting 
Unity" through their earth media, chosen and 
brought together to one place for this one noble 
work. It can be said finally that the paintings that 
are herewith presented as lucid illustrations of por- 
tions of the narrative, in half-tone reproductions, 
were given in oil on porcelain, enclosed within 
sealed slates, and each one was given through the 
mediumship of A. Campbell by his guide Azur; 
concerning the order and character of the subjects, 



10 INTRODUCTION 

neither A. Campbell nor Mr. Horine, who sat with 
him, were informed and hence they knew nothing. 
The spirit band gave the earth subjects and the 
character of their drawings as tests, and they were 
indeed tests, inasmuch as Mr. Horine on looking 
at them found them to be exact reproductions of 
the scenes in the old Kentucky home. The other 
drawings were scenes from the author's spiritual 
sphere, her home and surroundings. These paint- 
ings were finished, each one separately, in less 
than one hour at two sittings each, the longer time 
being used for exactness of detail. Concerning the 
material or independent writing, it was received 
by the independent process, familiar to all spirit- 
ualists, in the form and character as is illustrated 
by the photographs of slates given on separate 
sheets in the book. Mr. Horine sat through the 
entire series of sittings and has elsewhere testified 
to their receipt and genuineness. The psyche, 
Lizzie S Bangs, received from six to eight full 
written slates at each of the sittings, Mr. Horine 
holding the slates with the medium, and these 
sittings were held three times a week and were be- 
gun in November, 1893, and were ended April 28th, 
1894. It was the writer's pleasure to attend at 
least forty of them and he can testify and here 



INTRODUCTION 11 

testifies to the absolute genuineness of the slate 
writing as received through the psyche, Lizzie S. 
Bangs, 

The book, spiritual in its origin and lofty in its 
teachings, pervaded by a sweet and overpowering 
spirit of love, bearing its lessons of spirituality 
home to all, will be as a voice crying in the wilder- 
ness, but the writer writes under the influence and 
inspiration of his beloved guide, this prophecy to 
the reader, "Blessed are the eyes that shall see 
and the ears that shall hear what is enfolded in 
the thought of these pages. " And she adds, 
"Dear reader, approach the open pages as you 
would the delicate bloom of a flower, not to mar 
nor to destroy, but the more reverently to appre- 
ciate a heavenly work. Accept of its teachings 
and, by the more sensitively imbibing the fra- 
grance of its inspiration and its love, thus come 
more closely into oneness with the Divine." 

White Rose. 



A SUPPLEMENTARY WORD. 

I endorse in full the statements made by "White 
Rose" in the Introduction. He begins, however, 
his sketch of the history of the plan of the book, 
so far as its translation is concerned, with March, 
1893. The roots and branches of the theme ram- 
ify an earlier period. So far as my own personal 
life is associated with the book, I must take the 
reader to a period of my youth. In memory let 
me lift the veil and take the reader to those early 
days. In January of the year 1 844, my only brother 
and I became orphans and were tenderly cared 
for by our grandparents, who resided at the time 
near the Sulphur Well Village in Jessamine County, 
Kentucky. Here in the neighborhood there was 
a log school-house where the heroine of this narra- 
tive and I first met. The regularly employed 
teacher, a gentleman of attainments, being some- 
what overworked, I was asked to assist him by 
taking charge of a class of young girls. My 

branch was arithmetic. There I became acquainted, 

13 



U A SUPPLEMENTARY WORD 

as a teacher, with a pupil named Maggie Hun- 
ter, and that acquaintance ripened into an admira- 
tion, if not a reciprocal incipient attachment for 
each other. Here the seeds of the narrative were 
really first planted, and from this verdant soil and 
humble condition, through the whole length of the 
intervening years they, in the silent way which 
Marguerite Hunter herself has so truly and mas- 
terly described, ripened into after fruitage. 

Disproportionate circumstances soon led me to 
take a tangent course, and in 1846 I resigned my 
post as teacher. Pupil and teacher then parted as 
though they had never met — parted as lovers, but 
never then dreaming of the reunion which the fu- 
ture veiled from but nevertheless had in store for 
them. I went west and literally grew up with the 
country. 

Scenes change, the past recedes into memory, 
the later years bring changes and tragedies. 
Twelve years glided away, when in the year 1858 
the sad death of my former pupil refreshed my mind 
with the blissful scenes and delicious experiences of 
the days of my youth, and the awful woe which 
terminated them. This flash of light upon the past 
also soon melted away, and life again renewed the 
uniform progress. 



A SUPPLEMENTARY WORD 15 

In 1890, located then in Chicago, a seeker after 
truth, I became a convert to Spiritualism. Four 
of my children were then in the great beyond. 
Though I had passed the period of three score years 
these early events of my life never grew dim, 
and I often thought of them. 

In that same year and during my investiga- 
tions, my children in the spirit world first 
came to their parents in various ways through 
the phenomena. And in the month of Decem- 
ber of the same year the author, Marguerite 
Hunter, manifested herself with them. Since 
then the whole past has been revived and re- 
hearsed by us. 

In December, 1892, in a lengthy slate writing 
communication, she expressed the desire, when 
conditions should become favorable, to form a 
book of her life in the material and spiritual 
spheres, writing, among other things at that time, 
this which I subjoin: 

"My Dear Friend: 

"I don't know but that you will think me selfish 
for monopolizing so much of your personal vital 
force on these occasions, but I flatter myself that 
you come here on my account and for my person- 
al advancement and indeed such is a blessing be- 
stowed as I fear I can never repay. However, I 



16 A SUPPLEMENTS Y WORD 

am acquiring much strength by these interviews 
so that I may help both you and myself in attain- 
ing higher spiritual light and understanding. Do 
you know, my friend, that I should like to write 
a book of my experiences in earth and spirit life, 
and the book would be a light to many who know 
nothing of the conditions and laws of spirit life." 

All other and subsequent communications and 
interviews led to the consummation of her purpose, 
which was brought to an issue as has elsewhere 
been stated. 

Concerning the receipt of the slate writings I 
wish to say that they were absolutely genuine and 
the whole narrative, transcribed literally from 
them, is herewith repeated in substance as trans- 
lated. As the guide cf "White Rose" dictated the 
form and thought of the narrative for Marguerite 
Hunter through a co-operative spirit band and the 
chosen media, so through her inspirations through 
him, he being an inspirational speaker and me- 
dium, the manuscript has been carefully and ex- 
actly arranged and revised as the author and 

spirit band designed. 

C. H. Horine. 



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DEDICATION. 

This book is dedicated by its author in the spirit 
world to humanity, and written through spirit and 
medial power substantially as it was dictated. 
For this purpose and to further the spread 
of truth she has, through the influence of a co- 
operative spirit band acting in harmony with chosen 
media of the earth plane, organized forces sufficient 
to perfect her design. The author herself, a noble 
woman, after varied and deep experiences, not 
only in the joyous expression of youth but in the 
sadness which often fringes with tragic shadows 
the events of life, but comparatively a few years 
ago passed to the brighter scenes and spheres be- 
yond. A humanitarian by nature, she is still hu- 
manely interested in the progress of the human 
race. Her recollection of earth events has not faded, 
her affection and sympathy for human kind have 
not been obliterated by the change callfed death. 
She is a bright intelligence, a soul transferred 
from earth life to a higher spiritual plane, and what 
she says may be accepted as authority on the sub- 



ii DEDICATION 

jects which she treats. She, however, submits 
the narrative of her life and the knowledge which 
she has acquired of the soul and its law of unfold- 
ment to the critical and searching analysis of hu- 
man reason and science, and wishes in no other 
way than by the unimpeachable authority of truth 
as taught in her narrative to reach the end for 
which she sends the book out into the world. Her 
own people, for whose mental and spiritual awak- 
ening she first conceived the purpose of the book, 
are deeply religious as they regard religion, and 
are supremely honest in their convictions, but they 
are not investigators or disciples of the science, 
philosophy and religion of Spiritualism. They do 
not, therefore, believe in spirit manifestations nor 
spirit communion, but abide by the faith of the or- 
thodox Christian. Without giving any offense or 
attempting to bring to light any facts of a personal 
and family nature that might be regarded as irrele- 
vant to the work, or a breach of family and social 
etiquette, yet she has woven into the narrative 
unmistakable signs of her identity which they 
will not fail to recognize and understand, and all 
that she gives she imprints with the same person- 
ality and dignity of spirit that characterized her 
earth life and career. 



DEDICATION iii 

The object of the narrative as thus arranged and 
composed is to present to them and others, first 
the thought of everlasting unity of the soul in all 
of its manifold and chequered experiences and 
expressions here and in the eternal spheres, and 
then the collateral and contingent lessons out- 
wrought by every bright or sad, trifling or solemn, 
ignoble or noble, revengeful or loving thought and 
deed, all of which go to make the quality of the 
soul's spirituality as w r ell as the sphere which it 
inhabits. Thus, as the foundation of a temple is 
related to the massive and beautiful edifice, or 
the external form discloses as a symbol the inte- 
rior grandeur and points to the gracious simplicity 
of the inner shrine and holy of holies, so all that 
occurs in and of the material life, shapes and tends 
to elaborate the real design of the soul, which 
matter and force and the form, in the physical, 
mental and spiritual life as constituting the soul's 
environment and embodiment, ever serve and un- 
fold. Thus she shows and thus she elaborates the 
law and conditions of her advancement and eleva- 
tion. She has no other purpose in translating 
the book to the earth-form and to earth's children, 
than that, by it and the elucidation of the principles 
and facts contained in it, she might lead them, 



iv DEDICATION 

her immediate kinsfolk and all who may heed and 
profit by these lessons, out of a blind credulity, an 
obsolete and despiritualizing faith and an unrea- 
sonable and unscientific religion to the truth that 
alone maketh free, away from the letter that killeth 
to the Spirit that giveth life. 

Spiritual life is more than assent to creeds and 
dogmas or a mere conformity to moral rules and 
ethical codes. It is the character which is the re- 
sult of that aspirational nature, inflowing and out- 
flowing with the power of the spirit in saintly com- 
munion with the angelic hosts, that illumines the 
face with the beatific smile and glorifies the inner 
life with love, harmony and peace. Thus she would 
inspire in their and all souls such ardent aspiration 
and kindle the fires that flame forth a radiance 
which, as the candle placed upon the stand, gives 
light to all that come within the circumference of 
its aura. 

She wishes to add as a final word that many 
spirit intelligences have aided her in thought and 
influence to complete this, her chosen work. 

E. Unity, 
The Spirit Band. 



OFFERTORY. 

Eternal One, the Over Soul, to thee we offer 

praise, 
And in the spaces of our life we would our altars 

raise. 
In life and death thou leadest all thy children to 

thy love, 
And ever 'mid the sea of strife we feel thy presence 

move; 
No sky so dark, no life so small, but in it beams 

thy smile. 
O, that we may thy love perceive and feel sweet 

peace the while! 

No atoms stir, nor flowers bloom, but breathe thy 
law divine, 

No suns of worlds roll in the light but in thy glory 
shine; 

The very grass, the tree, the beast repeat the story 
old 

How ever in thy love-embrace all living things un- 
fold, 

17 



18 OFFERTORY 

And to one end, sublimely veiled, thy law guides 

man alway, 
That onward, inward he may rise unto the perfect 

day. 

What horoscope of thy deep love can tell us all of 
thee? 

What wisdom can reveal to us thy vast eternity? 

What seer can see or artist paint thy beatific face, 

Or Saviour pure can incarnate the Perfect, Beau- 
teous Grace? 

Well may we burn and keep aflame the fires of 
thought, desire, 

And ever to the Perfect Truth and Perfect Love 
aspire ! 

And may we seek by love divine to rise o'er self 

and sin, 
And in each thought and act of soul a purer life 

begin, 
Until above through endless spheres thy light shall 

lead us on 
To love sublime and truth divine and where all 

souls are one. 
And so to thee, our Father Soul and Mother Heart 

divine, 
We bring this book and o'er its leaves we ask thy 

face to shine. 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 

CHAPTER I. 

A breath on the sea and a surge of life, 

A rosebud's fall from the sphere of Eden, 

A pearl in a shell 'mid the ocean's strife — 
Symbol the soul on the way to heaven. 

The breath of the sea and the surge obey 

The power that sends the rose from the skies; 

Storms lead to calm as night leads to day, 

Pearls grow divine through life's teardrops and sighs 

Sail royally, mariners, over the sea; 

God is alive and blessing the soul; 
True is the love that shall lead you and me 

Happily home through each dangerous shoal. 

Sarah Marguerite Hunter was born near Sulphur 
Well, Jessamine County, Kentucky, in the year 
1 83 1. It was in the decline of the season; the 
orchard and the vine had ripened their fruits. 
There was a look of maturity on the face of nature 
in quiet harmony with that on the face of Mar- 
guerite, when welcomed by happy parents to a 

happy home. She was the eleventh child in a 

19 



20 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

family of twelve. Her kins-people were uniformly 
social, pleasant and kind. Her parents were well- 
to-do farmers who owned many acres of arable 
land, and, as was then the custom, a number of 
slaves. She had been given the ordinary advan- 
tages of education and society, but her early life 
was spent in comparative quiet. Deeply religious 
by nature, she spent much time and study in re- 
ligious thought, a trait of character stimulated by 
the custom of daily devotional exercises in the 
home circle. 

Her intellect was bright; her temperament was 
even. She was pensive yet mirthful, full of beau- 
tiful ideas and poetical fancies, and so thoroughly 
untouched by the cares of the world that she seemed 
to poise on the earth like a delicate butterfly on a 
flower. Of medium stature, moderately robust, 
of sanguine temperament, radiant but calm, her 
hazel eyes spoke the purpose of an honest heart, 
and her dark brown hair fell in luxuriant folds over 
a finely 'moulded form. 

Her home, at the time of our narrative, was 
modeled after the antiquated style of the country 
farm house of the times. It was a small, plain 
frame structure, one and a half stories high, with 
doors opening on an inviting porch, a homely sym- 




The Homestead. 






MARGUERITE HUNTER 21 

bol of the generous hospitality of the South, and 
shaded on all sides by trees and trailing vines. At 
the north and west, high hills covered with verdure 
and shrubbery revealed a rugged ravine at the base, 
while at the east and south an expanse of plain 
was dotted, here and there, with fields of grain 
and vegetation. Flowers of many varieties beau- 
tified her immediate home surroundings, and whis- 
pered their gentle thoughts of love to Marguerite 
while caring for them as the sweet companions of 
her youth. 

A road led for the distance of two miles or more 
to the log-cabin that had, for so many seasons, 
served the useful purpose of a school-house, where 
the heroine of our narrative obtained the rudiments 
of her education. 

Here, at her quiet, rural Kentucky home by the 
side of a peaceful little brook that spent its time 
in play or work, as it sang to the daisies on its 
banks or fell with forceful weight on the wheel of 
the old neighboring mill, Marguerite Hunter spent 
many hours of play in her early childhood, as also 
many days of meditation and study in the fullness 
of youth and womanhood. 

* Family pride and parental love denied her a 
more extended acquaintance with the world beyond 



22 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

that which the home surroundings afforded, and so 
her spirit was not given, within her environment, 
the full opportunity to broaden the nature that was 
so harmoniously its own. 

Marguerite was one of several younger children 
who remained at home. There were four older 
sisters who had married ; each had become absorbed 
in the duties of her own home, with its family ties, 
These Marguerite frequently visited, spending many 
pleasant days; and all of them being several years 
her senior, they favored her as a child. Two 

brothers, J and C , were her constant 

companions. J , the older, was fair and of 

sedate temperament; C was also of fair com- 
plexion and not unlike his sister Marguerite in dis- 
position. With both she was a favorite and shared 
with them perfect confidence, for, like all children, 
they had their little secrets and grievances. One 
of her sisters, who lived not far from the parental 
home, Marguerite visited more frequently than the 
others, and to her she always went in confidence, 
and every thought that came to her in the blos- 
soming of womanhood was confided to M -. 

Until the age of twelve, her life was one of com- 
parative sunshine, with, here and there, a shadow 
that flits over the child-world of all. Surrounded 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 23 

by loving parents and older brothers and sisters, 
all of whom took an affectionate interest in the 
education and future of Marguerite, her every want 
was kindly anticipated. 

Her natural reverence for age, her contented, 
happy disposition while in the company of those 
of more mature years, her obliging nature with her 
playmates, for she was ever ready to make little 
sacrifices for their enjoyment; her quiet, gentle 
manner, with child-like naturalness opening into 
womanly forethought, as the bud into the full-blown 
rose, this lovable child, not entirely angelic, but 
human withal, endeared to her all alike, both young 
and old. 

At this period of her life came her first cloud 
with its menacing shadow. In the summer of her 
twelfth year she was stricken with a fever of un- 
usual malignity, and for many weeks her gentle 
spirit lingered on the confines of life. Tenderly 
cared for by her loving ones, in time, the spell was 
broken, Marguerite's condition improved, her spirits 
brightened, and health slowly again asserted its 
benign supremacy. Despaired of by all, her re- 
covery was a welcome surprise. 

From the age of twelve to fourteen there came 
to her a realizing sense of a grand mission in life. 



U MARGUERITE HUNTER 

Sensitive and receptive by nature, she added to 
her unusual precociousness an awakening, intuitive 
and unquenchable desire for knowledge which 
brought a maturity of life and thought more in 
consonance with one far in advance of her years, 
and, on entering her teens, her benevolent sym- 
pathies sought a broader field of activity. At this 
early age, want and suffering appealed to her char- 
itable instincts, and she became possessed of a 
strong desire to minister to the needy and afflicted, 
as if some angel of mercy had assumed control of 
her childish thoughts to lead her into the path of 
the noblest destiny, and who shall say that this 
angel of God's purest love was not born in the soul 
of Marguerite when she lay suffering with the fever 
whose burning was assuaged by the kindly minis- 
tration of loving friends ? Her desire to administer 
to the sick and needy, prompted by a sense of duty 
in which she took a noble pride, she confided to 

her parents and her sister M . Their proud 

spirits overcame their naturally strong benevolent 
feelings, and they seriously objected to her making 
this her mission in life. Defeated in her laudable 
ambition, the angel of mercy still lived in her soul, 
and while attending to her studies and moving in 
the circle of an affectionate companionship, sur- 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 25 

rounded with all the comforts of wealth, she could 
not forget those less highly favored, and, in her 
quiet way, administered relief to many an humble 
home, causing there a little garden to blossom, 
when fate denied her a broader field, 

At the age of fifteen, a model in form, features 
and grace, and gradually growing into womanhood, 
like a beautiful morning awakening into day, with 
new hopes and fresh aspirations, there came a 
marked change in the mind of Marguerite. An 
event occurred such as naturally comes to a beau- 
tiful girl verging on the period of maturity, that 
gave a new interest to her life. While attending 
school, she was assigned to a class taught by an 
assistant, Courtney H. Horine, two years her 
senior, tall and dignified in manner, of dark com- 
plexion, quiet and easy in deportment, but not 
lacking in energy, and with a readiness to confer 
favors and assistance that made him popular with 
all. So gradually and unconsciously the feeling 
of harmony and esteem grew between them that 
neither realized the extent of their mutual regard, 
until both became conscious of the reciprocal feel- 
ing as little manifestations of courtesy were ex- 
changed. 

They soon found themselves in the happy, trust- 



26 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

ing summer time of youth, when admiration so 
readily ripens into early love. In the full enjoy- 
ment of physical and mental health, with earnest 
thoughts and noble aspirations, as teacher and 
pupil met from week to week in the ordinary rou- 
tine of school duties, both, under the sweet influ- 
ences and teachings of each, unconsciously began 
to extend their daily lessons into the silent, sacred 
domain of real life. As the sunshine drinks the 
dewdrops from the flower, so had these newly de- 
veloped aspirations absorbed their early love and 
transformed it into the more serious, but as yet 
unexpressed purpose of a union of lives as well as of 
hearts. Each felt a sacred security that no one 
knew but themselves, of their heart's treasures, 
and could the spell of timidity have been broken 
at this time and the deep, manly nature of his in- 
most soul have emerged from its hiding place and 
responded to the true, outgoing sentiment in the 
heart of Marguerite, so earnestly and eloquently ex- 
pressed in the modesty of its half suppression, how 
differently might have been the future of both! 

Sentiments so deeply cherished by each could 
not easily be long suppressed. Circumstances, 
often, develop in the soul courage as well as love. 
In the month of June, 1846, when the summer, 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 27 

with its genial sunshine and fields of promise, found 
a fitting counterpart in the growing summertime of 
their young hearts, it was their happy privilege to 
meet at a church dedication in the neighboring 
town. After the enjoyment of the early evening 
hours, while riding over the quiet country road to 
the home of Marguerite, a frank conversation not 
only emboldened them to express more fully their 
mutual love, and convinced them of their natural 
adaptation to each other, but also revealed in their 
horoscope a threatening source of danger. Wealth, 
that frowning rock against which the frail bark of 
so many lovers has dashed and been shattered, stood 
like a forbidding obstacle before them. Marguerite 
was in good financial circumstances, called wealthy 
in those ante-bellum days. Her teacher and lover, 
who in his heart aspired to lead her to the altar, 
was not so highly favored with worldly possessions. 
Left an orphan at an early age, he had been kindly 
reared in the family of his grandfather, and at the 
decease of his parents, had been left with compar- 
atively little property. The relative financial 
disparity in the family conditions was, in his mind, 
a serious obstacle to their marriage. He feared 
that her greater wealth might lead to unfavorable 
comments on "his poverty, and, if not, the mere 



28 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

possibility of financial comparisons would poison 
the happiness he was certain to find in his marital 
relations with Marguerite, This gloomy prophecy 
he kept within his own breast. At the first men- 
tion of his lack of a fortune, his thoughtful com- 
panion generously suggested hers was sufficient for 
both. Poor girl! she had not fathomed the depth 
of his trouble. It was not the mere lack of a large 
plantation with its necessary equipments, but the 
social annoyance to which the disparity between 
their earthly possessions might subject him. He 
sadly, but firmly determined to discontinue their 
friendly association, banish all thought of am en- 
gagement and bury his love in her heart. Pride 
and determination to win position and rank equal 
to that of her family caused him to turn his thoughts 
and footsteps in another direction. He soon found 
profitable employment in an adjoining State where 
he had formerly lived. Here he busied himself as 
best he could, striving by industry and enterprise 
to heal the wound he had himself so voluntarily 
inflicted. Marguerite refrained from giving full 
expression to her feelings, not entirely compre- 
hending the motive or nature of his decision. With 
kindliest feelings they parted, but her disappoint- 
ment was so great, her sensitive nature so deeply 




The Log School-House. 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 29 

touched that she donned the mantle of gloom and 
silence. She remained with her parents, sacredly 
concealing her sadness within her own heart while 
pursuing her studies and attending to her other 
duties. All days were as one continual cloud; the 
flowers, the birds and the brooklet that had once 
held for her so much beauty and enjoyment were 
now overshadowed and as dead things. 

Time brings many changes, not only in the affairs 
of the external world, but in the interior workings 
of the soul, in our deepest desire, our firmest res- 
olutions. We cannot always shape our destiny to 
our choice, and so Courtney H. Horine found. 
Heart-sick and weary, in the fall of 1848 he re- 
turned to the old Kentucky home, the scene of his 
early experiences. How changed all things seemed 
in so short a time! There was the log school- 
house with its old-fashioned windows that once 
welcomed the inspirations of the sunlight, now en- 
veloped in the shadows which the very sunlight 
had made. There was the crystal brook taunt- 
ingly singing seemingly the mournful dirge of the 
past. There was the home of Marguerite standing 
in the subdued splendor of its simplicity, like a 
sainted sentinel guarding the sacred ruins. Many 
were the friends that welcomed him, but everywhere 



30 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

he was alone as one in a deserted land. There 
was but one element of naturalness that he could 
have recognized had it been offered — the queenly 
presence, the kindly face, the magnetic voice of 
Marguerite; but this only solace fate cruelly denied 
him, for though, through the kind offices of friends, 
the whisperings of mutual sympathy and thought 
of the old-time friendship were interchanged, yet 
conventionalities that should have been overcome 
loomed up like mountain barriers, and various in- 
cidents occurred to prevent an interview. And 
with an inner melancholy feeling as mournful as 
the tones of a passing bell far out at sea coming 
over the waste of waters with a dying farewell, 
these two young hearts separated for the period of 
their mortal life. 

With Marguerite time sped on very slowly; with 
unfailing hope and untiring feet she lived for the 
day, not for the sorrows of the morrow, a child in 
years yet a woman in experience. For a few brief 
months she continued her studies, in the meantime 
acting as instructress in the neighboring school in 
the elementary studies. 

We now enter upon the stage of this young, ac- 
tive life where her mind grasps and retains the true 
principles of her being, and gives expression to 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 31 

pronounced individuality, and she feels that she 
must depend more on herself and less upon father 
and mother. Her time and attention had been 
cheerfully given, in common with her parents, 
brothers and sisters, to the duties of home life. 
Although busily occupied, she could not forget the 
one theme of the past, and neither industry nor 
the diversions of society could obliterate its delight- 
ful memory. When alone she would silently con- 
template the future and rehearse the past; the 
happy and unhappy events would touch her again 
and again, sometimes lightly and pleasantly, and 
sometimes, oh! so heavily and with such deep sor- 
row. To Marguerite there was always something 
lacking that could not be supplied, something that 
she could not understand herself, yet keenly felt. 
At the age of eighteen, and during the season of 
1849, she learned that the object of her love was 
engaged to another, a lady residing in his own 
neighborhood. Sad news indeed to her! In the 
seclusion of her own room, she sought the relief 
that only tears can give. Forgiving in her nature, 
her resolute character forbade her from expressing 
her sorrow to others. Quietly and alone she con- 
quered the harsh decrees of fate, and in the soli- 
tude of a broken heart, crowned him the while 
with her kindly benediction. 



32 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

A turning point now came in the life of Mar- 
guerite. The past could not be remedied. How- 
ever much her heart might cling to the object of 
her first choice, his marriage to another revealed 
to her a change in the line of her own destiny. 
Wisely dismissing regrets for mistakes and disap- 
pointments that seemed to be inevitable, or, at 
least, that could not now be changed, she decided 
to follow the line of her duty in the path that nature 
ordained, believing that only in this way could she 
experience that elevation of soul necessary to true 
happiness. In the spring of 1849, she gave her 

hand in marriage to one J A , a man of fine 

physique, and of good business qualifications, but 
wholly unsuited to her sensitive nature. Young 
and inexperienced, in deference to the wishes of 
her family and friends, she yielded to their per- 
suasions, and reluctantly gave her consent to a 
union that seemed to her a matter of duty, but 
against which her heart uttered its mournful pro- 
test. His family was well-to-do, and in financial 
circles was counted equal to her own, but in the 
union there was a coldness that bespoke her un- 
happy future and sad ending. No language can 
fittingly describe the inward feeling of this young 
heart when from day to day and week to week she 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 33 

lived a desolate life, which, as time wore on, grew 
more and more a burden, until she prayed for re- 
lease. 

Settled in the neighborhood of her parental home 
with her husband, Marguerite entered her new life 
faint-hearted and sorrowful, for, before the time 
that her honeymoon had passed, she realized how 
fearful had been the mistake. A warning voice 
seemed to speak to her of the terrible life before 
her, and an inclination to flee from the present 
scenes and surroundings and to seek another and 
entirely strange land came over her. Naught but 
darkness and despair met her gaze on every hand, 
yet she did not or could not heed the call; nay, she 
had taken the fatal step and must abide the result. 

Summoning her will force, she determined to act 
well the part that duty had seemingly assigned her. 
Her surroundings were comfortable, in a material 
point of view, equal to those of her parental home, 
and at first she tried to bear the burden cast upon 
her with patience, but, as the days passed, her 
husband grew more and more exacting and arro- 
gant, until every spark of respect for him faded, and 
her inner sensitive nature revolted! Seeing that 
no love for him existed in her heart, he upbraided 
her for her coldness and indifference; but the 



34 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

natural cause of this change of feeling did not oc- 
cur to his gross nature. He became more and 
more vindictive each day, until life became to her 
almost unbearable. For a time, she bore all his 
abuse and acts of cruelty uncomplainingly, her 
gentleness and innate purity rising above it all. She 
wished to live with him, not because the slightest 
shadow of love existed, but because she had in- 
nocently assumed the bonds of matrimony, not, 
however, fully realizing the first fatal step, and as 
her honorable nature revolted at a separation, she 
bore her trials with a brave heart. In the month 
of September, 1850, there was born to her the first 

child of their union, A E , a child moulded 

after the form and feature of the father, yet in dis- 
position like that of the mother. Even the inno- 
cence of a little child did not prove a harbinger of 
good. Faithful to the duties of life, time did not 
lessen her trials. He, whom she called her hus- 
band, was only such in name. In the month of 

January, 1853, their second child was born, D 

H , in disposition and features not unlike the 

first-born. With additional responsibility for Mar- 
guerite, there was no improvement in his conduct 
toward her, but a growing brutality in his manner. 
Even with so loyal and trusting a disposition as 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 35 

hers, his nature was not changed. One evening 
in the year 1854, with despondent, bleeding heart, 
gathering her little ones in her arms, she sought 
refuge in the home of her parents. Her husband 
returned to find the unhappy wife absent. In her 
paternal home she was welcomely received, and 
they strove to comfort the young life that had been 
made so desolate. In a few days her husband 
sought her, and by fair promises of reformation, 
induced her to return with him to their home; but 
his promises soon became broken pledges, and she 
again sought her parents, but again he followed 
her and induced her to return. 

In the summer season of 1855 another child was 
born, a boy; and with its birth came many trials 
and a long illness for the young mother. Her life 
for a time hung as if by a single thread. With an 
ambition to live for her little ones' sake, she rallied 
and again took up the burden of life before her. 
In the year 1858, oppressed with many cares and 
trials, having met only with disappointment and 
repeated cruelty, for the third time she left the 
unhappy home, quietly but firmly resolved never to 
return again. These were sad, sad hours to her, 
and looking back over the past it seemed a long 
terrible dream, yet too real indeed to banish. 



36 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

Seeking the home of her happy youth, she set 
about thinking and planning for the future, resolv- 
ing to bury the past and begin anew, profiting by 
her sad experiences. Her thoughts were all for 
her little ones; for them she could live and labor; 
and with this thought in mind, having completed 
the arrangements for a berrying party for the day, 
while on her way, in company with her little girl 
and her niece and namesake, Maggie, riding peace- 
fully along the wayside with only the object of 
the journey in view, they were overtaken by her 
husband; who joined the party in conversation, 
Their destination having been reached, all dis- 
mounted, intent on the duty and pleasure of berry 

picking. L : and Maggie seemed happy-hearted; 

not so Marguerite. There was something within 
that made her hesitate, a something that she could 
not understand, seemingly a voice that whispered 
words of caution and distress, that gave her an 
almost irresistible inclination to flee from the scene, 
but she dared not heed it lest she might be misun- 
derstood. Ah! too late! In this secluded spot, 
alone and unprotected, the last act in life's sad 
mortal drama was ended. 

Marguerite had partially filled a small pail with 
berries when her husband made one last desperate 



MARGUERITE HUNTER g? 

appeal. He had sought her a number of times 
before, entreating her to return to him, only to be 
refused, and this time was his last. She paused 
for a moment, as if fear had overcome her. There 
was a frenzied look on his face that she had never 
before seen. Conscious of the justness of her 
decision, her resolute spirit came to her aid. 

"And so, Marguerite, you utterly refuse to live 
with me," he said. 

"I do," was the sorrowful answer. "We have 
fully tried the experiment," she continued, "and it 
is useless for us to try again. I cannot survive 
any more such scenes as these through which I 
have passed, and it is better that we should never 
resume the relation of husband and wife." 

As she spoke, her little girl, boon of the unhap- 
py marriage, crept closer to her side and looked 
inquiringly into her face, as if instinctively realiz- 
ing that something terrible was about to happen. 

Her niece, M M , attracted by the sound 

of the voices that were pitched above the ordinary 
key of conversation, turned just in time to see 
Marguerite's husband unbutton his coat and draw 
from a side pocket a weapon. Handing it to his 
wife he demanded that she use it. 

"If you will not listen to reason," he said, "life 



38 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

is worth nothing to me; take it and destroy 
me." 

For a moment she looked at him fearlessly but 
hopelessly, and then turning aside as she would 
from a childish sport, she said: "Put it away; 
such a thing shall never be used by me. I bear 
you no malice, I wish you well, I would not harm 
a hair of your head; I only wish you would try and 
be a man and for your own sake and the Master's, 
turn aside from the error of your ways." 

As she ceased speaking, his whole manner 
changed. She saw the cruel, cold gleam in his 
eyes, the expression of a demon on his face, every 
feature unalterably fixed in determined rage. She 
instinctively knew that her life was in peril, but 
she neither moved nor begged for mercy! 

"Very well," he said, and the words were spoken 
heartlessly and deliberately, scarcely above a whis- 
per, "if you will not kill me, I will end it all right 
here." 

He lifted the shining weapon, and with the 
screams of the child and Marguerite's niece ring- 
ing in his ears, fired the fatal shot at the beautiful 
woman he had sworn to love, honor and protect. 
Marguerite sank down among the berry bushes 
that surrounded her on every side, the life blood 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 39 

ebbing from a rugged wound in her head. Coldly 
the murderer looked upon the innocent victim of 
his terrible crime, and then as coldly left the 
scene. The child and niece, at first too horror- 
stricken at the shocking tragedy to fully realize 
its awful significance, at length awakened from the 
stupor that seemed to have overcome them and 
hastened to give the alarm. Rapidly the news 
spread, and soon the entire surrounding country 
was in arms. So indignant and desperate were 
the people that it was difficult to suppress their 
determination to usurp the authority legally con- 
stituted to inflict the penalty of the law, and it 
was only by speedily calling a special court and 
council that the outraged sentiment of this usu- 
ally law-abiding community could be quieted. 

Marguerite, weak and sinking from exhaustion, 
was carried to her parents' home, where she re- 
ceived every care and possible assistance, but it 
soon became evident that the missile had only too 
successfully executed the fiendish thought of him 
who sent it on its deadly mission. Consciousness 
did not leave her, but the shock overcame her 
power of speech, and after a few brief hours her 
gentle, resolute spirit freed itself from the mortal 
form, and arose into that higher life where virtue 



40 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

and growth have ample protection against brutal- 
ity and crime. 

Many were the friends who visited the country 
home to pay their last tribute of respect to Mar- 
guerite. All turned away with sorrowful hearts 
and tear-bedimmed eyes as they looked for the 
last time upon the familiar face, whose noble ex- 
pression had triumphed over the anguish of life 
and death, the kindly face of her whom they had 
known only to love. The funeral rites over, in 
the village cemetery by the side of a brother and 
sister who had preceded her, the body was gently 
laid to rest, a 1 indeed that remained to mortal 
vision of one of nature's noblest women. 

A more terrible fate awaited the man on whom 
the State had laid its strong hand for the murder 
of her who was now with the angels. More terri- 
ble than the tragic fate of Marguerite, since he was 
to be tried in the court of the conscience as well 
as at the tribunal of human justice. Beyond the 
threshold of the soul's inner temple we will not 

now tread. J- A was arraigned before a 

jury of his peers. A fair trial was given. The 
evidence of guilt was absolute. Capital punish- 
ment for capital crime was the law of the land. 
The prosecuting attorney plead earnestly for stern 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 41 

justice in the execution of the law for the safety of 
society. The legally constituted authorities in 
Jessamine County, Kentucky, acting conscien- 
tiously in the highest interests of society, having 
convicted the prisoner, sentenced him to the gal- 
lows. In a neighboring woodland, a short distance 
from the scene of the cruel tragedy, enacted by 
his own hand, he was placed on the scaffold. The 

fatal trap was sprung and J A was with 

his God. 

During the trying domestic experiences of Mar- 
guerite's unhappy life, Courtney H. Horine, her 
former teacher, passed through various experiences 
in business and home life, and, at the time of the 
tragic demise of the heroine of this narrative, he 
had settled in a pleasant home of his own in the 
central part of Illinois, where with industry and 
economy he was slowly but surely achieving suc- 
cess. 

Soon after the last act in the sad drama in the 
life of his former pupil, he again visited the village 
of her early home, where he too had lived at the 
time of their youthful acquaintance, and there 
heard the particulars of the terrible news of the 
double tragedy. Though now fully established in 
his domestic relations, and without cause of regret, 



42 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

manfully abiding the decision of his best judgment, 
naturally his mind reverted to the scenes of his 
early experiences, to the old log school-house, the 
attractive home of Marguerite, the church dedica- 
tion, the memorable conversation on the quiet 
country road, and the singularly strange events 
that followed Like a panorama, his gloomy 
experiences on his first return, after having men- 
tally bidden a final adieu to her whose life seemed 
a part of his own, suddenly passed before him as 
an impressive prophecy. And now came a new 
revelation that only partially unfolded its meaning. 
The thought naturally occurred that these, like all 
the events of life, have a practical meaning, but 
this he interpreted on a social and business basis 
purely, as the line of his mentality was then confined 
to the materialistic plane, not having any abso- 
lute evidence of a future life, but believing that 
life in this world of which we have positive knowl- 
edge, should be made desirable by self-culture and 
good deeds, and that all things are practical ob- 
ject lessons, if we rightly study them. The fuller 
and grander knowledge that the good which may 
result from evil may not only be known in this 
life, but also be revealed in another; that true 
friendship, however abruptly broken off, may still 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 43 

live, even after death, and that the sudden mys- 
tery may, in time, become a bright and beautiful 
revelation, most forcibly came to him at a later 
period in life. 

In the year 1890 we find him, in his sixty-first 
year, peacefully settled in his quiet home in the 
great Western Metropolis, where for many years, 
with the various changes and incidents common to 
life, he has been engaged in business. His family 
circle has always been to him a little world where 
the purest joys have been fully realized. Dearly 
loved members of his own household, while yet in 
their tender years, have long since passed the 
boundary of earth-life. A beloved wife has gone 
to the beautiful country beyond, leaving the her- 
itage of a good life in his sacred keeping. Many 
are the ties that bind him to the higher life and 
make its study one of intense interest. At the age 
of sixty-one, with a full share of physical and men- 
tal vigor, he is still actively engaged in business, 
while pursuing a line of thought more fully marked 
out by a message of friendly greeting that unex- 
pectedly came from her whose early life had been 
for a season so pleasantly interwoven with his own. 
Here, on this side of the silent river, we leave him 
for a while, as we continue the narrative of a life 
in two worlds. 




The Unity of Life in the Spirit and Earth Spheres. 



THE ASCENSION. 

As from a shell the pearl is taken, 
To radiate the light of sun, 
Or from a bush the rose is broken 
Ere yet the blossoming is done, 
So from the darkened earth condition 
Fair Marguerite was led away, 
That she might elevate her spirit 
And rise into eternal day. 
Long time she sought the golden gateway 
That led unto her earthly home; 
Long time she sought to reach her children 
Ere she obeyed the Eternal One. 
But baby forms she loved supremely, 
Though all the while she missed the bliss 
Of inner peace and happy living, 
That gives each soul its tenderness. 
And ever through her sphere she wandered 
Like vision of a fleeting star, 
Ere she could fold them to her bosom, 
Or swing the golden gate ajar. 

45 



46 THE ASCENSION 

At last, as one who long has waited 

To see the stars shine through the sky, 

Like birds that wing their flight too quickly, 

And from the effort sink and die, 

So she became oppressed and weary, 

And fain would have a sphere sublime, 

Or seek in love and light serenely 

The only harmonies divine: 

When lo! the very heavens were opened, 

Revealing there a shining bower, 

The fruit of all her inward longing, 

The bud and bloom of life's fair flower; 

And all about her angels hovered, 

Arrayed in glory lily white, 

Who helped her in each sweet endeavor, 

And filled her soul with peace and light. 

And Star of Hope went on before her, 

To guide her to her home above, 

Where in the sunlight of her Eden, 

She there could live in perfect love. 

And O, what light possessed her spirit, 
What sweetness filled her paradise, 
What glorious scenes and beauty perfect 
Swam as a dream before her eyes! 
A creature new in all her being, 
All self and darkness left behind, 



THE ASCENSION 47 

The very air her love life echoing, 

A life at one with all mankind. 

Her spirit now on subtle ether 

Could float about, below at will; 

Redeemed by love she knew no anguish, 

She could her home with glory fill, 

And open wide the mystic portal 

That death had closed so ruthlessly, 

And give her loved the happy token 

Of life that solves death's mystery. 

And through her sphere with joy resounding 

One acclamation all lips bore, 

"The pearl is ours for God the Maker 

The soul is blest forevermore." 

And sing, O angels, praises giving, 
That God is truth and God is love, 
That Marguerite all sin forgiving, 
Received the peace of heaven above. 



CHAPTER II. 

Sweet are the visions heaven hath given 

To cheer the pilgrim on the way; 
Though rough the path and thunder-riven, 

Above shines everlasting day. 

For a time after the shock which was produced 
by the physical disturbances, Marguerite's spirit 
experienced a light feeling, as if soaring away from 
the form and returning again, a condition pro- 
duced by the wavering of the spirit between the 
earth and spiritual atmosphere. There seemed to 
be a cord or silken thread that held her to the ma- 
terial form, and yet, an indescribable something 
that urged her on with an inclination to free her- 
self from the entanglement of suffering. At times, 
consciousness was lost, but, on returning again, 
there was a full realization of the physical condi- 
tion. At last, when the functions of the body, as 
if having fallen into a deep sleep, became dormant, 
perfect peace came over her spirit; and as one in 
dreamland, she was borne on through space to an- 
other atmosphere, unconscious of the influence or 

48 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 49 

means of assistance. And so, as the ebb-tide of 
mortal life grew slow, that of the spirit quickened. 
For a period of three days, her spirit rested ob- 
livious to all, gathering the elements of strength 
essential to a full revealment and composition of 
the spiritual form; for the spirit, having arisen in 
the divine human likeness, assimilates, as in the 
material sphere, the necessary and suitable con- 
stituents from the new condition and atmosphere 
for the spiritual body, the form being the medium 
for the spirit's expression. As consciousness awak- 
ened, she found herself in the presence of loving 
and administering friends and in an environment of 
unsurpassing beauty, and gradually rising into the 
harmony of spiritual life, as joyously as the suc- 
cessive notes in an ascending scale. Every faculty 
of her being asserted itself with increased energy, 
and she fully realized that she had passed from 
earth into the higher condition of another and 
brighter world. She saw new object lessons all 
about her. She became interested in what seemed 
to be her new home, as a little child naturally and 
gradually becomes interested in the world into 
which it has been born, but with more intensity 
of being, as her experience and greater maturity 
demanded. She investigated the new conditions 



60 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

that confronted her on every hand, rather with the 
bewildered enthusiasm of one suddenly and un- 
consciously transported from one country to an- 
other, where different soil and climate, and inhab- 
itants engaged in higher industries existed. She 
surveyed her new surroundings joyously. Anxiously 
she inquired the meaning of all these strangely 
beautiful scenes and activities and the exhilarating 
energy of life that seemed to ally her more closely 
with the Divine. No reply greeted her ear, but in 
the peaceful countenances of all whom she beheld 
she read the answer more eloquently expressed 
than in words, that she had passed from life mor- 
tal to life immortal and that this was the border- 
land of the abode of the higher intelligences. 

Now, a mother's love does not cease for her child 
when forced to separate from its earthly embrace, 
and according to her condition she still hears its 
innocent prattle, and her heart continually yearns 
for it. Naturally, after having located herself in 
a sphere beyond their earthly habitation, Margue- 
rite's thoughts turned toward her children, the 
treasures of her life for whom she had willingly 
and gladly made many sacrifices, prompted by a 
mother's love. Where were they? Could she see 
them? These and similar questions disturbed her. 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 51 

To all came the gentle assurance, "Becalm and 
await the full revelation." 

This philosophical advice did not satisfy the in- 
tense anxiety of Marguerite. She felt with all a 
mother's devotion that she must see her children. 
In imagination she could hear their pitiful cries, 
and she turned for consolation to her guardian 
companion, who had given her the blessed assur- 
ance that all was well, and that soon she would 
take her to her loved ones. She assured her, how- 
ever, that first she must rest, that calmness of 
mind which was the only safeguard against a re- 
lapse of unconsciousness must condition her pres- 
ent actions. And as she rested and meditated, 
overcome with the beauty and grandeur of the 
scenes around her, all her past life came up be- 
fore her in panoramic view. She realized then, 
and more fully as she grew in strength, that she 
had left her little ones behind to mourn her ab- 
sence, and as the cause of all came to her, she 
longed to return and help to heap censure upon 
him who had been the sole cause of her great sor- 
row. But the gentle thought of her guardian re- 
buked her in kindly admonition and feeling, mak- 
ing known to her that by love and not by revenge 
she must conquer the enemy. 



52 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

After a season of rest and recuperation, she again 
approached her guide, a lovely being, whose coun- 
tenance glowed with a genial kindess that reminded 
her of the angels she had seen in the dreams 
of her early childhood, the guide who had created 
in Marguerite a confidence so great that she in- 
wardly felt that she could not deny her any rea- 
sonable desire. And surely to visit and caress her 
babes she thought could not be unreasonable. 
With great anxiety she again requested of her the 
privilege of going to her children, but the same 
being kindly but persistently refused. 

"Patiently hear me," her guardian replied. "You 
are now in a new world, and must learn to accus- 
tom yourself to its higher methods and laws. You 
are now clothed with immortality. Death has been 
your birth into a new life. You have not wan- 
dered beyond the spiritual realm of your kindred 
and friends, nor far beyond their mortal realm. 
They are not widely separated from you in space, 
nor yet in spirit, but only by conditions. The 
time for your return has not yet come. Study well 
the conditions that now environ you; overcome 
your anxiety and fear. Be content to know that 
the time will come, nay, is not far distant, when 
it will be possible for you, with beneficial results 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 53 

to them and yourself, to visit your children. 
Would you harm those you so dearly love? Would 
you impress upon the innocency of childhood the 
hateful image of revenge? Would you confuse the 
sunshine with shadows? Should you return now, 
before the light of love has subdued your own spirit 
and glowed within or encompassed you with its 
beneficent and protecting halo, the mistakes that 
you should make, the wrong that you should do, 
would only end in confusion, grief, sorrow and re- 
morse, would mislead others and would greatly 
embarrass your own future progress. . This is the 
outer court of the spiritual kingdom. Beyond, 
there are inconceivable beauty and grandeur. You 
must here learn the alphabet of progress; you 
must thoroughly inculcate the divine principles of 
love and forgiveness. Learn well this lesson. 
There is no greater bar to progress in the divine 
life that transforms and glorifies the soul than an 
unforgiving spirit. You have suffered a great wrong 
in your sudden transition; it has blinded you for 
the time being to your highest interests. But you 
can overcome the evil effect by exercising your 
own soul power. You have now come to a point 
in your journey where it is necessary for you to 
choose your course. You must decide whether you 



54 MARGUERITE HUHTER 

will continue to be claimed by the perversity of 
your own will, or whether you will yield to the di- 
viner impulses of enlightened reason and angelic 
sympathy! You have come to the boundary of a 
higher sphere of spiritual expression. You cannot 
now pass into these inner courts, but it is permit- 
ted you to look in upon their celestial beauty. 
These await all those who have become inspired 
with and have attained the perfect expression of 
the beatific and deific vision." 

Suddenly, as she ceased speaking, and as if in 
the order of some divine arrangement, a deep sleep 
overpowered Marguerite, and she sank into a de- 
lightful reverie. Silently she went forth on a ce- 
lestial pilgrimage. Accompanied by her guardian, 
she passed quietly and quickly from realm to realm, 
over landscape and mountain, until sphere after 
sphere had been passed, wherein dwelt beautiful 
beings arrayed in garments most artistically woven 
from the refined tissues of their own thoughts. She 
was told that here was found the fulfillment 
of highest desire, that the dwellers in these mystic 
realms could read as from a book the thoughts and 
feelings of others, and could translate their char- 
acter and destiny from their wardrobe. There were 
here no unemployed; disease and poverty did not 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 55 

enter these realms of harmony. Merit only could 
here succeed. All was love and peace. There was 
perfect freedom and perfect individuality, but such 
unity of purpose amid the great variety of individ- 
ual expression that the very air was full of music 
and redolent with the incense of gladsome and har- 
monious desire. Landscapes of indescribable 
beauty everywhere met her eye. Birds, foliage and 
flowers more varied in form and tint than mind 
can conceive paid homage to her earnest thought. 
Nature, as revealed in these celestial spheres seemed 
in profound sympathy with all the higher intelli- 
gences. Surroundings vibrated to inner harmonies 
and all became rhythmic. Intuitively she could 
read the problem of real life in the varied scenes 
that continually entranced her, and in the expres- 
sive countenances of the superior people. 

As they made their journey through space each 
new sphere presented some feature of advance- 
ment more attractive than the former, until they 
reached an atmosphere more peculiarly adapted 
to animate her soul and harmonize with her ideals 
than any before encountered. Here she was per- 
mitted to linger for awhile, that in time to come 
she might recall and then seek for its true condi- 
tion and exceeding glory. 



56 MARGUERITE HUHTER 

While meditating on these strange surrouiidingg, 
two beautiful forms appeared to her, with out- 
stretched hands and welcoming faces, approaching 
near enough for her to commune with them, but 
not beyond the gateway of what appeared to be the 
boundary of that particular sphere. Immediately 
there was soul recognition, their eyes met and soul 
spoke to soul. A beautiful maiden, with rich, dark 
hair, loosely flung around her shoulders, and a 
benign expression of countenance, which touched 
her innermost soul, approached her, saying, "It is 
your sister Emily, and this is brother William, " 
beckoning to a noble form who stood by her, as 
radiant as her own yet arrayed in robes of differ- 
ent design that bespoke his character. "We have 
come to welcome you into our home of eternal 
bliss. We have preceded you by a long time, 
yet, as time cannot erase memory and the tie of 
love, so have we known you and grown with you 
through all our experiences in the brightest 
spheres. " 

Marguerite's soul was overwhelmed with joy. 
She no longer felt that she was alone. She tried 
to step forward and approach them more closely, 
but in vain. Some invisible power that she could 
not comprehend held her back. She was permit- 



MARGUERITE HUHTER 57 

ted to enjoy sweet soul-converse with these beau- 
tiful spirits, but could not .enter their atmosphere. 
Her sister smiled as she received her thoughts 
of wonderment, and in reply said, "Marguerite, 
when you have become fully educated in all the 
laws of life that pertain to this exalted sphere, 
then you with us will breathe the same atmosphere, 
and have a similar experience. There are number- 
less ascending spheres in range, and if you will 
obey the noblest impulse of your nature, you shall 
soon become free and advanced spiritually. Do 
not repeat or reflect upon the wrongs done you 
in the past, bury their memory in a hospitable 
grave, overcome evil with good, drive out the de- 
mon of revenge from the palace of your soul and 
people it with kindliest thoughts and noblest as- 
pirations. Your life has been wonderfully excep- 
tional in experiences; strive by a wise decision 
through angelic guidance to make it still more ex- 
ceptional in mastering the lessons here to be 
learned. These in their course, you must thor- 
oughly understand before you can advance in spirit. 
Each sphere of progress has, in itself, some new 
and glorious quality, outrivaling the former, and 
so on, through every stage of advancement, until 
you shall have reached this refined atmosphere. 



58 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

Far beyond this, there are numberless higher 
spheres, where dwell intelligences of most exalted 
character. These I am striving to attain, to these 
you may also advance. As you choose your course, 
so shall I be able to watch over and guide you 
through administering spirits of the intervening 
spheres. There are, also, spheres of darkness, 
sorrow and evil, for all who people the spirit world 
have not yet attained the ideal of the soul's high 
destiny. As you dwell in thought on the condi- 
tions of the past, so will you be surrounded by 
like environments of inharmony and discontent, 
but as you reach out and overcome the evil which 
lurks in the thought, so shall your soul become pure, 
and advancement of the spirit be speedily attained. 
Here in this sphere all environments of earth are 
overcome; and here would I have you dwell with 
me through annals of eternity until this haven 
has been reached. Behold, and I will reveal to 
you a new condition of life, " and as she spoke, she 
removed a mystic veil that had obscured the vi- 
sion of far more distant scenes, revealing still great- 
er beauty and mere supernal glory, more superior 
inhabitants arrayed in garments of inconceivable 
and heavenly splendor, busily engaged in various 
avocations, so deiflc in their method and nature 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 59 

that she could only compare the revelation to a 
refined and superlative counterpart of the more 
beautiful scenes of earth, with a grander and more 
perfect unfoldment. It seemed to resemble earthly 
scenes more perfectly and artistically drawn. Veri- 
table landscapes there were, whose verdure afford- 
ed a substantial background for variegated foliage, 
mountains covered with pine and hemlock, pour- 
ing from their rocky fastnesses little rivulets and 
larger streams, symbolical of spiritual blessings 
emanating from heavenly Sinais and fed from their 
perennial fountains, beautifully undulating valleys, 
and mighty rivers rejoicing on their journey to the 
sea, all as tangible as in the physical world, but com- 
posed of and permeated by an ethereal substance 
that appealed to the finer sensibilities of the soul 
in a language all its own. These surroundings 
earth inhabitants cannot comprehend except in 
soul visions. There were also numberless groups 
of flowers of every form and hue, birds of rich 
plumage, warbled songs of entrancing melody, 
and there were sounds of harmony, vibrating 
tones of tenderness such as no earth musician or 
instrument known to human art could produce, and 
vocal music whose soul-elevating outbreathing of 
angelic strains wafted the thought toward the 
Infinite Purity. 



60 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

This wonderful revelation of realities so grand 
and glorious, but unknown to mortals and spirits 
in the lower spheres, she could not fully under- 
stand. The trance state had been profound, but 
she knew it not. All seemed so tangible, yet she 
could only think of it on awakening as a dream, 
as the veil that had gradually unfolded the gran- 
deur, again as gradually concealed it from view. 

She was gently reminded by her guardian when 
she had come to her normal self that other and 
more active duties awaited her, and so on awaken- 
ing, almost unconsciously to herself, she found that 
she was once more in the realm whence, in company 
with her guide, she started on her wonderful jour- 
ney through the celestial spheres. The guardian, 
who had led her through the different spheres, 
made known to her that here in a particular sphere 
was to be the beginning of her new life; and that, 
for a time, she should live here, and renew her 
strength, and that soon she would be able to weave 
around her forces and conditions whereby she could 
return to her earth-home. She said to her that 
she needed rest, and that in due time she would 
be endowed with the requisite spirit power to act 
freely and wisely. "Then," the good spirit said, 
"you may go your way and seek kindred souls who 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 61 

will aid you in learning the many lessons that will 
constantly claim your attention. " 

Bidding her adieu, by a wave of the hand, she 
disappeared in the distance, gradually fading from 
view. 

Marguerite now began to realize somewhat her 
true position and to comprehend the value of the 
services of her faithful guardian. She found 
around her numberless beautiful beings with kindly 
faces whom she had not known in earth life, but 
they gave her a welcome so cordial that it seemed 
that she had known them always. Pictures of ce- 
lestial beauty surrounded her, silently inculcating 
their profound lessons of purity, and as she re- 
clined on a carpet of verdure, under a broad spread- 
ing foliage, the events of her past life again came 
up vividly before her. Some were of earth scenes, 
and some of those of her immediate surround- 
ings, a kaleidoscope of sorrow and tears, of peace 
and rejoicings. The memories of the past came 
to her clearly, and as her soul again became filled 
with profound longing, she realized that she had 
passed out of the body, and was conscious of hav- 
ing retained her individuality. This perfect knowl- 
edge of her identity was a source of great consola- 
tion to her, although the sense of her incapability 



G2 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

to care for her little ones caused her much anxiety. 
But as her guardian had promised to show her the 
way to them, she became for the while reconciled. 

In the spirit world there is no realization of time, 
and so in the narrative we take up the thread of 
life, after the spirit has been in its new condition 
of birth the calendar-time of three days. 

After the tragic event of her sudden transition, 
recorded in the first chapter, several days passed 
before her consciousness returned, and before all 
of her faculties were again in their normal condi- 
tion. Her spirit had passed from the physical form 
when in the full vigor of life, and by the swift, 
sudden transition had been temporarily benumbed. 
All the scenes in the different spheres she had vis- 
ited in vision were fresh in her memory, but seemed 
like a dream of some inconceivable splendor of 
which she was conscious but unable wholly to de- 
fine. Slowly, hour by hour, she regained full pos- 
session of all her faculties. She realized that though 
free from the body, she was surrounded by reali- 
ties, and arising from her reclining position, she 
found that by an effort of will, she could wander 
around at the mind's desire and examine nature's 
wonderful works. A universe of unfoldment lay 
before her. Everything was suggestive of thought- 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 63 

ful inquiry. She lived in a realm of new ideas. 
There were new scenes, new people, a new world. 
Here and there, were vast castles of most elabo- 
rate design, with windows of an ethereal substance 
scarcely distinguishable from the refined atmos- 
phere, adorned with transparent walls of colossal 
strength, These were the abode of beautiful, he- 
roic spirits. It was noticeable that in this sphere 
where she was temporarily stationed there was lack- 
ing the inharmonious element of arbitrary caste. 
The worthy only were admitted. It was their castle 
of defense, symbolic of their spiritual state ac- 
quired by a victory over the malignant attacks that 
had been so recklessly and fiercely made against 
them for advanced ideas and heroic service on 
earth. 

Various degrees of heroism and spirituality were 
represented in this one sphere. In the different 
departments of it were seen some apparently just 
blossoming out of childhood, and some out of gi- 
gantic but overweening moral strength. Here could 
be found many reformers who had been persecuted 
and socially ostracized for conscience' sake. Here 
were many martyrs of science, of economical and 
social progress, of true religion, waiting and toiling 
for higher translations. Here were many whose 



64 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

obscure position in earth-life had concealed their 
true character, who had apparently done but little 
for humanity, but that little had cost them heroic 
sacrifices, and had been done from motives of 
purity and not for ostentation. Here gathered 
those like the widow who, in casting in their mite, 
had thrown in their entire living. It was a curious 
problem that only advanced spirits could solve, 
and real merit and spirituality could demonstrate 
how, when put into the balance, the soul ? pure 
and loving in deed and thought, would tip the 
beam against millions for ecclesiasticism and even 
for educational, religious and charitable institutions. 
The heroes of toil from the farm, the workshops, 
the school-rooms had here found in the interior of 
these vast castles, palaces within the marble walls 
of their own monuments wrought of their own 
good deeds and service. There were architectural 
designs of such variety and number, corresponding 
to the genius and character of the souls, the mind 
could not grasp their delightful diversity, and there 
were homes of transcendental loveliness suited 
to the culture and wants of all. 

Notwithstanding all the joy and beauty around 
her, she experienced a deep feeling of unrest. She 
began to fervently meditate upon the past, for the 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 65 

memory of her earth-life had not forsaken her. 
She thought of her childhood days, her youthful 
companions, the inharmonies of her home, the 
austere husband, the sweet little children, her 
sudden passing out of the earth-form, and the kind 
services of her genial guardian. Quickly arising, 
she glided away to seek rest and recreation among 
the fragrant groves that lined the banks of a gentle, 
meandering stream. While musing, in this quiet 
retreat, on the strange experiences of her life in 
the process of a mysterious unfoldment, she 
chanced to behold, mirrored in the pellucid waters 
of the silent river, her own image. Every feature 
of her face so clearly outlined her own thoughts 
and feelings that she read and re-read in the per- 
fect reflection the history of her entire life. Whilst 
fully convinced of her identity, her appearance had 
undergone a mysterious transformation, far sur- 
passing in expression that of her mortal form. She 
knew that she could never again re-enter that form, 
yet, moved by some interior impulse of the soul, 
she ardently desired and promptly determined to 
return to earth. Love for her little ones drew her 
impulsively to them; the feeling of the tender care 
they needed, so paramount in her thought to all 
else, fostered her desire to see them. She then re- 



66 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

membered the beautiful guardian who had portrayed 
to her mind in such glowing color the beauty of 
her new home, and quick as the vibration of 
thought, suddenly the guardian appeared to her. 
She seemed even now more radiantly beautiful to 
her than ever before. Marguerite soon signified 
her desire to retrace her steps to earth, to which 
came the reply: "I know all that is within your 
heart, and your longings shall be realized. It is 
my duty and desire to draw you from the earth- 
attractions. The trials through which you have 
passed will, in time, be explained, and you will 
fully comprehend their purpose. They are of the 
earth, though fundamental to all unfoldment. You 
are in the spirit world. The attempt to return 
now in your present weak and unprepared con- 
dition, will but add to your longings, and will 
lengthen the time that must pass before you are free 
from earth's entanglements." 

The guardian's calm, sweet expression had a qui- 
eting, persuasive influence upon Marguerite. She 
realized the superior intelligence of her companion, 
her determined, yet loving nature, and cheerfully 
acquiesced in her decision as she said, "Since it 
is your desire to again enter the scenes of rudi- 
mental existence, then follow me," 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 6? 

They floated on together through various atmos- 
pheres, created as a complement of the spiritual 
condition of the different grades of the intelligences 
inhabiting them, rapidly traversing the celestial 
landscapes, until their characteristic beauty faded 
in the distance, as they approached and entered the 
chilly, clouded atmosphere of earth. The sensa- 
tion produced by the wonderful, sudden change of 
spiritual climatic influences and environments was 
so great it would have driven her back to her new 
home with impetuous force, had not the stronger 
power of her desire to visit earth for a purpose 
dearer to her than her own life prevailed. 

With trembling anxiety Marguerite said, "Let 
me go first to see my children." 

Yielding to her request, her guardian beckoned 
her to follow. 

Slowly they moved on through the murky at- 
mosphere, and soon Marguerite stood within the 
well-known home of her parents. She took cogni- 
zance of material objects, by their special aura or 
magnetic emanations. It was evening. Her 
mother was reclining on a lounge, the rays of the 
dimly lighted lamp falling on her pale face, plainly 
displaying deep marks of care and sorrow, and on 
the floor by her side, were Marguerite's two dear 



68 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

babies. As she drew nearer to these little ones, 
she spoke to them in the tender tones of a mother's 
affection, an affection enhanced by separation and 
a baptism of spiritual love, but she failed to re- 
ceive their attention. Neither the eye nor the ear 
could she command, nor could she make her pres- 
ence felt, not by the touch of her hand, nor by the 
earnest force of her magnetic power. She pain- 
fully realized how absolute was the separation, 
although their innocent prattle, their childish de- 
sires, were all known to her. But to them, she 
was dead and gone forever. She sensed the lone- 
liness of the little ones, and saw that the life was 
slowly ebbing from the form of her dearly beloved 
mother. She could view the scenes of the past 
week in the home, and felt the pressure of the deep 
sorrow that so heavily oppressed them; she tried 
to speak to them in tender, loving thoughts of hope, 
but to no avail. 

How cruel now seemed this loss to her, how 
unfortunate! And with persistency, she again 
made the effort to attract their attention. Ap- 
proaching very near and placing her hand on her 
head, with an unusual effort of the voice she called, 
"Mother," but in vain. She neither moved nor 
answered. Suddenly Marguerite displayed a weak- 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 69 

ness of character that she had not known, as the 
thought of the cause of all this desolation and 
sorrow pressed upon her. Hatred overcame her 
better nature and she determined to use her influ- 
ence in making miserable the life of her betrayer. 

The beautiful guardian, who had led her all the 
way, urged her to desist from a course so mali- 
cious, but she was determined to find him and heap 
upon him the imprecations of her revengeful spirit. 
The guardian plead and reasoned with her, but to 
no avail. Her words had for her no meaning, her 
heart was adamant, her reason was utterly para- 
lyzed. Her children were orphans, her home was 
ruined, clouds enveloped it, the sunshine had for- 
ever departed. 

She, then under the spell of the disease, went 
groping her way through the darkness, trying to 
find her husband. She wandered from place to 
place, tracing him with the skill of a superior 
psychomotrist, by the magnetic emanations impart- 
ed to objects with which he had come in contact. 
After a short but viciously anxious search, she 
found him, miserable and alone, wandering back 
and forth, confined to narrow, uncomfortable sur- 
roundings. As she drew near to him, she noticed 
the change upon his face, she felt his haggard, rest- 



70 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

less spirit, but her heart was unmoved. She re- 
joiced in his misery, and turning to her guardian 
she said, "I will never leave him until he has suf- 
fered the full penalty for his cruelty. " 

She advanced near his passing figure, calling, in 
a loud voice, "Wretch!" But she might as well 
have called to the mountains or the stars, as he 
did not realize her presence. Every thought of 
his was clear to her, and though there were deep 
regrets, she gloried in his misery. 

The guardian plead with her to turn aside from 
these scenes, showing her with all the eloquence 
of her amiable nature, that she only debarred her 
own spirit from progress, making her condition as 
miserable as the man she wished to torture. 

"Think of the future," she said; "cast not so 
recklessly away your own high privileges for the 
sake of an unreasonable, hateful revenge that can 
only degrade you. Cultivate the nobler spirit of 
a humanitarian, let your forgiveness be as divine 
and uplifting, as the crime was cruel and debas- 
ing, and you shall have as a reward the exalted 
advancement that comes only through conquering 
the enemy in the soul's own citadel. In this way, 
and in this way alone, will you be able to guide, 
and come yet closer to the recognition of your dear 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 71 

ones. Quench your thirst forever by drinking 
deep from the fountain of charity, and so shall you 
become an heir to the kingdom of heaven, and 
dwell in the glorified mansions." 

But Marguerite could find no comfort in this 
teaching, nor would she accept the divine princi- 
ple. She had remained in this condition all the 
following day, until, at last overcome by incessant 
anxiety, she left these scenes and wandered around 
through familiar magnetic currents until she 

finally reached the home of her sister M . She 

entered there and found that here, too, all was 
gloom. Her sister was sitting quietly in a rocking 
chair, with Marguerite's young baby, a lovely little 
boy, on her arm. Her face was pale, and her cheeks 
tear-bestained. A melancholy picture that only 
added to Marguerite's cold resolve. 

And so months and years passed before she 
could overcome the spell that held her to earth. 
Other spirits, were in attendance to pacify her, but 
their pleadings were all in vain; among them was 
her own dear mother, who recently had passed the 
boundary and been guided to higher spheres. 

Marguerite's husband meanwhile had suffered 
the penalty of his crime. She knew of the de- 
plorable condition of his spirit, but she did not care 



72 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

for his reformation. Remorse on his part would 
not have softened her heart, nor deterred her 
from her selfish pursuit. Love for her little ones, 
and determined effort to overcome the impossibil- 
ity of reaching them, held her earth-bound. 

And so time passed. The attentive guardian 
had remained close by her side, advancing new 
ideas and extending sympathy, and continually 
pleading with her to return to her spiritual home. 

Her own mother had advanced into the home- 
realm of the higher spiritual affections, whence she 
had no desire to return to earth. 

Marguerite's love for the dear ones grew not 
less after having found that she could not make an 
impression upon them, but she resolved to seek 
other means. It was strange that this refined soul 
could not have more clearly perceived the advan- 
tage that would result from and by her advance- 
ment to higher spheres, and how much easier it 
would have been to reach the friends of earth 
through an exalted condition. But she needed and 
must have the collateral experiences, ere the ad- 
vancement could come. She would then possess 
knowledge whereby she could understand the law 
of inter-soul communion. But she had formed a 
determination to return to her earth-home, with- 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 73 

out the necessary preparation, and hence she had 
to abide the result. 

Many changes had taken place in the home-cir- 
cle since her mother's departure from earth-life. 
The little ones were separated, living with Mar- 
guerite's sisters. From place to place and child 
to child she wandered, until they were fast ad- 
vancing to maturity. Her mother, after experi- 
encing all the rudimentary lessons upon entering 
spirit-life, and after overcoming all earthly condi- 
tions, had returned to her home, but so different 
were the aspirations and attractions of these two 
minds, that they did not meet. Her mother had 
chosen the wiser course, and so gradually advanced 
to the higher spiritual understanding and life. 
There came a time when Marguerite became wear- 
ied of her failures, and she turned her face from 
these bitter scenes of earth. She desired once 
more to visit the Summerland of beauty, and 
turning to her patient guardian, who appeared in 
response to her thoughts, she manifested her de- 
sires, and with her she glided again over the 
beautiful scenes, through different atmospheric con- 
ditions. She already perceived that she had wasted 
years of grand opportunities, and this condition 
became at once a stimulus to high endeavor. The 



74 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

guardian expressed her delight over her change, 
and with Marguerite's hand in hers, they turned 
their faces from the scenes of earth and their bitter 
memories to the radiant spheres above. No rational 
being could have more deliberately dethroned rea- 
son. Yet in her earth-bound condition she had not 
forgotten the inviting scenes of the Summerland, 
but an unreasonable devotion to her little ones, 
deeply tinged with selfishness, failed to awaken in 
her soul one lofty desire, until worn out with wait- 
ing, and seeking for inter-world communication. 
Her guardian, so free of earth-attractions and sel- 
fish thought, yet realized her mental condition, but 
lovingly and silently led her until at last they again 
stood upon the shining shore. How beautiful and 
pleasant the contrast between the surroundings! 
The scenes seemed lovelier because of the long 
exile. Everywhere there were the wooded hills, 
picturesque valleys and distant mountains, with 
the shining mansions, castles and quiet cottages 
with the graceful trees and playing fountains, 
whose murmuring waters reached downward to the 
sea; scenes that she once had seen and loved. 
Leading her to a moss-cushioned lounge, the guar- 
dian sat beside her, and told her that here she 
would gather her first higher lessons in real life. 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 75 

She spoke to her of her mother, and for the first 
time Marguerite was filled with longing to see her 
angel face again. This she was promised by the 
spirit guide, who immediately vanished. 

Not long did she wait, before she saw in the dis- 
tance, slowly advancing, two figures; one she rec- 
ognized as that of her guardian, and as they ap- 
proached nearer, she recognized the other as that 
of her own dear mother. Arising, she went to meet 
them. It was a moment of silence — then daughter 
and mother were soon clasped in each other's affec- 
tionate embrace. Soul spoke to soul. 

Her mother said to her, "My child, I am glad 
that you have mastered the cruel imprecations that 
bound you to earth. I am glad that the truth has 
now dawned upon you ; a long time I have waited for 
this. Several years have passed since I entered 
spirit-life, but my time has not been idly spent. 
I have been conscious of your condition, but the 
difference in our seeking has kept me from reach- 
ing you. Through administering spirits I have 
tried to reach you, but you turned a deaf ear to 
all; so, while seeking to advance myself, I have 
patiently waited for your change, knowing that 
sometime if fully prepared I should be able to 
help you; and now that time has come! I have 



76 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

become a teacher in the great school. Through 
advanced minds I have obtained higher understand- 
ing, while to those in your sphere I am a teacher, 
and, dear child, to you I will impart the knowl- 
edge to which I have referred. I will show you 
how to decide the course of your life. Believe me, 
my child, the time is not far distant when we 
shall be able to work together. My object incom- 
ing to you now, is to welcome you into your new 
home of love. n 

Here she ceased, and Marguerite replied: "O, 
my dear mother! How happy I am to meet you; 
to hear your voice again, and to receive the light 
imparted by your lofty thoughts and noble pur- 
poses! I rejoice in holding communion with you. 
My heart has been so chilled by the experiences 
of earth, that, until now, there has not seemed to 
be one responsive chord in my being. The shades 
of sadness made me wretched, and I was perfectly 
indifferent to all. The wiser pleadings of the mes- 
senger of love I have heard, and through my suffer- 
ing have learned a great lesson. I hope to be 
freed from these entanglements now, and x profit- 
ing by the mistakes of the past, learn to walk in 
the new and better way." 

"My child, your state of mind has all been known 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 77 

to me, and I knew that you would eventually be 
led into the clear light of truth and happiness. 
The seeds of kindness and endurance are not lost. 
They were, for a while, sown on barren ground, 
but will eventually bring forth an abundant har- 
vest. Child of my heart, we shall refer no more to 
the unpleasant memories of the past, but you will 
begin life anew, and I will visit you often, although 
now we cannot dwell in the same sphere; yet when- 
ever you wish to see me, your thoughts will reach 
me and I will respond. New and congenial friends 
you will find and have, and those of your own dear 
family circle, you will meet after a time. To- 
morrow I shall visit you again and give you the 
promised lesson. Now I will leave you to rest 
and reflect." 

After the departure of her mother, Marguerite 
sought rest and forgetfulness in sleep, and for many 
hours was under its sweet influence. She awoke 
refreshed, feeling a sense of repose — a state of 
mind to which she had long been unaccustomed. 
Arising, she carefully examined her new home. 
She found it contained all things that were essen- 
tial to her comfort. The apartments were all ar- 
tistically fitted up, homelike, even palatial in ap- 
pearance, but not so grand as those castles she had 



78 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

seen in vision, upon entering spirit-life. She moved 
about, through the different rooms, and found that 
she was not alone. This disturbed her somewhat 
at first, as she had preferred to be alone, but to 
her joy and heart's response, she found her com- 
panions congenial minds. Like herself, they had 
experienced the earth-bound conditions, and just 
awakened into real life. Around her in the differ- 
ent compartments she found magnificent libraries 
from which she might gain instruction, also conser- 
vatories of music for acquiring the knowledge of 
harmonic sounds. Passing from these apartments 
into a recess, through a large and richly carved 
door-way, she entered a spacious art gallery in 
which were found fine paintings and delicately chis- 
eled statuary. There w r ere flowers blossoming in 
abundance and beautiful arbors covered with trail- 
ing vines, the one, scattered here and there among 
the statuary and the other about the palatial build- 
ing. At one end of this apartment, she passed into 
a lofty studio, filled with all the appurtenances 
of the sculptor and the artist. So beautiful and 
perfect did all these object lessons seem to her, 
in their harmonious unity of design and arrange- 
ment, that she wondered if this could be a part of 
the very lesson that she must needs learn to master. 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 79 

Her mother had said that here in this palace 
she should dwell as her home, and here she should 
receive her first lesson in the higher principles of 
life. She was not yet prepared to understand the 
significance of the words, and she felt her inability 
to take up the part before her, a work apparently 
so far beyond her powers that she feared to begin. 
She was conscious of other spirits standing around 
her, who were seemingly as amazed and thoughtful 
as herself. 

Two spirits, whom she had met before, came 
forward, and they smiled at her as she looked sur- 
prised, and, in a low, musical voice, one said, 
"We have been sent to show you around and de- 
scribe to you the different scenes and apartments 
in our home. Will you go with us?" 

As she assented, she was conducted through the 
different archways from one apartment to another, 
all having some special line and objects of study, in 
progressive order one with the other. From them 
she learned much of life, and of the science of the 
sphere which she occupied. There were different 
classes in their appointed places, some intent on 
studies of art, others learning of harmony, science, 
of music and religion. All were deeply imbued 
with the love of truth, and sought only its acqui- 
istion through manifold and unitary avenues. 



80 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

She was told that her advancement depended 
on her progress in obtaining knowledge, that this 
she must acquire through natural, but spiritual 
laws, and, by becoming in sympathy with higher 
spiritual thought, she should increase her capacity 
for intellectual and exalting work. So great did 
the thought seem to her that her feeling of fear 
increased, and she felt as if unable to pass through 
the ordeal. She did not give expression to these 
her secret thoughts, until she had reached a mag- 
nificent archway that led out into the broad ave- 
une of the park. Her companion spirits signified 
to her that this was the part corresponding to their 
sphere of study, and that here she would begin her 
work and soon meet her mother. 

She had not waited long before her mother made 
her appearance. The attractive novelty of the 
scenes through which she had just passed, had en- 
tirely diverted her mind from earth, and in the 
thought of her mother's approach, and of the les- 
sons to be begun, all else was forgotten. She had 
viewed the brighter scenes of spirit-life, and was 
now anxious to engage her mind in attainments of 
the greater realizations of the higher spheres. Her 
mother approached her with the same inspiration 
of love as before, gaining her confidence by assuring 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 81 

her of perfect guidance. She moved in advance, 
and bade Marguerite to follow her. Leaving the 
beautiful scenes of the park, they passed rapidly 
through the sweet-scented air, and again into the 
mansion through the corridor to the large, spacious 
apartment that Marguerite recognized as the one 
assigned to her as her special abode. There they 
were met by the faithful spirit who had guided her 
entrance into spirit-life, and had unfolded to her the 
wonderful vision in the higher spheres, and who had 
led her again back to the scenes of earth, and after 
long and weary waiting directed her to her pres- 
ent home. She was tall and divine, with luxu- 
riant, flowing hair, and brilliant dark eyes. Her 
shining robe and surrounding halo bespoke her 
highly intellectual and spiritual qualities. She 
glided forward and received her with the sweetest 
soul-thoughts, and her mother said, "My child, 
this is your guardian. And to-day we have met 
here to make known to you for the first time her 
identity, that you may, in the future, follow her 
ways and teachings; for many years she has been 
in the spirit-world, and far in advance of my sphere 
does she dwell, yet not out of the elements that 
permit her to glide freely and at will, through the 
different orbs and spheres. She is one of the higher 



82 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

guides of intelligence. Spirits, after leaving the 
form, assume names in harmony with their intel- 
lectual and spiritual condition and nature, and so 
you will hereafter know her, your guardian, as 
Star of Hope. Her mission, while still seeking 
the attainment of higher understanding and di- 
viner life, is to lead wandering spirits through the 
different conditions of spirit atmosphere, until they 
gain such experience and discipline as shall give 
them power to avoid error in their search for truth 
and express love in their life and attractions and 
thus assign them to their true position in the di- 
versified field of spiritual work and destiny. In 
earth-life she was known as Mrs. Horine, the 
mother of your early friend and tutor. Through 
the law of love and sympathy for her child, she 
has been constantly in harmony with you so far as 
your thoughts in earth-life have permitted. Time 
and circumstances decreed that your paths in the 
first condition of life should be different, but now 
they converge, and there will come a time when 
you will be more thoroughly reunited by the higher 
law of true soul- affinity. You will find positive 
enjoyment as you advance in knowledge, and though 
it may, in a sense, be a painful experience to over- 
come some perverse trait of your own character, 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 83 

you shall succeed in your work. Naturally, a 
beautiful disposition awakens our love, but true 
spiritual love reaches out to elevate the deformed 
in character; if you find your uneducated will weak, 
you will feel all the more the deep necessity of 
your higher spiritual unfoldment. Though lacking 
this knowledge in your brief, mortal life, yet by 
your earnest endeavors you will outgrow the er- 
rors of the past, and grow into the purity of this 
perfect union. The lessons placed before you 
may, at the outset, seem very difficult. First 
learn to master self. There are those with whom 
you were connected in earth-life, that now exist 
in utter darkness; all such you must help to uplift. 
Harbor no longer feelings of resentment against 
him who made your past life one long sorrowing. 
Forget the past. Seek and save him, and as you 
give to others, so shall you receive. No one can 
become so degraded, can sink so low in crime, as 
to utterly crush out the native germ of good. It 
still exists, though dormant and dwarfed, It shall 
be stimulated into a healthy, beautiful growth by 
the genial sunshine of a loving soul. Your bitter 
feeling, I know, is not without cause, but you must 
overcome evil with good. Benevolence attracts; 
selfishness repels the heavenly light. Our auras 



84 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

are made white by the power of love. Encour- 
age him to believe that there is a hope, and you 
will find that though deeply debased, he can be 
saved. Be thou his redeemer! As you grow wiser 
and overcome all evil, you will be assigned as guide 
to some wandering spirit of less knowledge and ex- 
perience. Through the law of fellowship, which 
is the supreme law of soul, we must all become as 
children of one family. By helping others, we 
help ourselves. This is the law of progress. No 
isolated soul can succeed in any sphere by isolation. 
All are, in a degree, mutually dependent, the low- 
est upon the highest, and it is only by giving that 
we can ourselves receive. Again you will return 
to earth after you have made the first true con- 
quest over self, and then you will be able to with- 
stand temptations. Then you will be able to go 
and come at will, doing good and learning many 
lessons, even from the scenes of the past. In this 
your present sphere, in the heavenly mansions, 
you will find such means of learning as will help 
you to arise above each perversion of nature, in- 
herited amid earth's conditions. Drink to your 
fullest capacity of the fountain of wisdom and 
love." 

Here her mother, bidding her an affectionate 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 85 

adieu, and promising to see her again on the mor- 
row, left her to converse with her guardian, Star 
of Hope. 

It is not necessary to repeat the long conversa- 
tion that passed between Marguerite and her ap- 
pointed guardian. Suffice it to say that in the 
lessons which were given her feelings of sympathy 
and love and her thirst for the good increased. 
She felt and appreciated the inspirations of her 
mother's sublime teaching. Her heart was touched 
with pity for those who remained in darkness, and 
especially for those in greater darkness than she 
had herself experienced. Asserting her supremacy 
of will, she set about her work, regarding it now as 
a blessed privilege. The supreme peace of mind 
that came to Marguerite, the unbounded joy that 
thrilled her whole being, when once she viewed 
life in the fullness of its meaning, can only be 
known to those who have passed through a simi- 
lar ordeal. She thanked the guardian for her great 
patience with her, and then again they parted, 
Star of Hope vanishing to her own sphere, and 
Marguerite remaining in her own seclusion, there 
to meditate on the additional lessons to be gathered 
from the volumes of knowledge that lay all around 
her. She had been received into the temple of light; 



86 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

her soul had been transformed and a halo of glory 
hung over all. She realized that not alone for 
herself, but for the good and advancement of 
others, she must labor to reach all high spiritual 
attainments. She now saw a new revelation in all 
her surroundings. There was no shadow in nature; 
the bough, the leaflet and the flower each emitted 
a light peculiar to itself, that seemed to reflect the 
soul-image of Marguerite, and here, at the end of 
her ninth year, annual time, we find her trium- 
phant over every soul-crushing obstacle. 



CHAPTER III. 

Be not dismayed! The soul has glories wondrous fair, 

Enfolded as a shrine within a flaming fire; 
Toil on, O friend, and ever seek by love and prayer 

To win the peace and glory of divine desire. 

Marguerite, who did not leave her apartment in 
her spirit-home for several days, ever sought and 
conversed with her guardian and mother. A quiet 
peace came over her soul and she was in a happy 
state of blissful repose. To her intense delight, 
she had learned that through the soul's elevation 
of thought she could come into rapport with intel- 
ligences of the higher spheres, and communicate 
without the immediate presence of her spirit guide. 
She finally spent considerable time in visiting the 
different sections of her own sphere, noting what 
was of special interest, and gathering a general 
knowledge of spiritual things, thereby the better 
to prepare her for the discharge of the responsibil- 
ities which she had taken upon herself. 

She visited many places and interviewed a num- 
ber of spirits in regard to their own experience, and 

87 



88 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

through the information thus obtained, she the 
more fully learned how to begin her work. She 
found the atmosphere around her peopled with con- 
scious personal beings, some of marked individ- 
uality, each, in their own locality, having a distinct 
home, and all intent in doing a special work. She 
also found mansions, serving as homes for the weak 
and feeble spirits, who were learning lessons, re- 
ceiving treatment, and, as their will power be- 
came attuned to the harmony of spiritual thought, 
becoming stronger and stronger in their divine un- 
foldment. In these homes she found all the ad- 
vantages which tend to health, enjoyment and 
spiritual development, About her there were beau- 
tiful gardens, artistically laid out with banks of 
flowers fringed with moss. There were shadowy 
groves, filled with singing birds, and streams of 
clear, pure water, the homes of various finny tribes, 
with here and there cascades dashing wildly over 
massive, rocky ledges, throwing their spray of 
tinted splendor into the glad sunshine that over- 
spread all. Here life was free and happy, all 
nature inviting to thoughtful activity and to that 
tranquility of mind born of conscious rectitude. 
There were sanitariums in the pleasant valleys by 
the running waters, where the air, redolent with 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 89 

healthful incense, was adapted to the more highly 
sensitive natures, and others on the rugged moun- 
tains where the air was light and invigorating, and 
full of the balm of healing. Within these sanita- 
riums there dwelt industrious, spiritually minded 
teachers, who had under their care patients of weak 
mentality, who were anxious to be healed of their 
spiritual infirmities, by availing themselves of su- 
perior teachers and the more health-producing sur- 
roundings, where also they could learn the higher 
laws of nature and obedience to their demands, 
thus to acquire the knowledge of and a means for 
symmetrical spiritual unfoldment. Such needed 
not only mental and moral training, but aliment 
for the spiritual body. The essence of fruits and 
of aromatic herbs furnished their staple suste- 
nance. In the heavenly spheres the mind receives 
culture in accordance with natural laws as known, 
though quite imperfectly, by teachers on the earth- 
plane. Love is the corrective of anger; sympa- 
thy of cruelty; courage of cowardice, and so on. 
Every degenerate mental faculty has its special 
remedy. To clearly diagnose spiritual disease and 
apply the proper corrective, requires the skill of 
superior experience and understanding, — to regain 
spiritual sanity and power a self-sacrificing spirit 



90 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

on the part of the patient. These sanitariums 
afford the necessary facilities for radical cure. Dis- 
couraged souls can find rest and happiness in these 
surroundings. Some find a pleasant sanitarium 
by the sea, where, with the breezes from the surg- 
ing waters, and the music of the winds, they are 
stimulated with new hope, courage and endeavor, 
and thus grow out of their darkened condition. 
These sanitariums are regularly graded to the vary- 
ing conditions of the occupants, and whatever ele- 
ments, essential and fundamental to the highest 
soul-growth, are weak, whatever important forces 
were lacking in their character, are all fully sup- 
plied here. The tendency of human life is ever 
upward and onward. 

In spirit-life, which is but a continuation of the 
human life, she found conditions and opportuni- 
ties for growth and progress, everywhere suited to 
the needs of all. Marguerite had now visited the 
different departments of her own sphere, and so by 
the knowledge acquired and spirituality attained 
she had learned her needed lessons. She was now 
prepared to apply them, in short to begin her own 
real labors. 

Her spirit mother and Star of Hope were to ac- 
company her and aid her in these her other efforts 
for advancement. 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 91 

It was a bright, beautiful morning in Summer- 
land. Marguerite had risen above all earthly in- 
fluences and formed a unity of thought with her 
guardian, thus developing the stronger adaptabil- 
ity for her mission. All things around her breathed 
the air of harmony and peace. The genial sunlight 
had sweetened her rest, the birds sang joyously 
about her, and the waters glided musically by, 
vieingwith the soft breezes that tossed the leaflets 
of the trees, or bore the choicest fragrance from 
the flowers. In company with her mother and Star 
of Hope, she moved out from her serene atmos- 
pheric surroundings into the darkened resort of 
spirits who had not risen into light — there to find an 
apparent waste of space. No buds or blossoms of 
flowers, no shady groves, no singing birds nor melo- 
dy of winds were there. All was profound dark- 
ness and sadness. At first, she could perceive no 
signs of life, the gloom was so dense, and only as 
she approached the darkened condition by her own 
radiant light, could she see at all. Many times 
she turned to her companions in surprise at hav- 
ing been brought into this unhallowed spot, but she 
was encouraged by them to press on in her efforts, 
until at last, reaching a densely clouded locality, 
having the appearance of a rocky ravine, she saw 



92 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

some one wearing the dignity of the human form, 
wandering about with uncertain aim and pitiful 
action. His manner and appearance were in har- 
mony with his desolate surroundings. He expressed 
himself incoherently; his face bore the marks of 
intense suffering. He was, indeed, a wretched 
picture of despair. A feeling of sympathy over- 
came her; a desire to aid him impelled her to look 
more carefully. She discovered in this unfortunate 
being — her husband. Misery and intemperance 
were imprinted on his brow. He had entered spirit- 
life engulfed in degradation and crime, and had 
experienced the natural effect of his deeds. So 
densely dark were his aura and surroundings that 
as Marguerite drew near him he could not perceive 
her presence. His spiritual senses were so com- 
pletely befogged by his condition and he was so 
absorbed in his wretched state that his spirit could 
not trace nor discern her cloud-like vapor of light. 
So revolting were these scenes that Marguerite 
thought of retracing her steps, but, as she realized 
his intense suffering and recognized in him a hu- 
man being in whom the undying element of the 
divine life was almost wholly obscured, the angel 
of mercy arose in her heart, and rising in the might 
of the divinity within her, Marguerite gained an- 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 93 

other victory over self, and she gladly determined 
to minister to his great necessities. Drawing clcsely 
to him, she spread her radiant arms about him, 
and as the little lines of light came streaming from 
her finger tips and penetrated the darkness, he 
became restless and alarmed. Continuing these 
actions during her visits, he became agitated in 
thought. All the past seemed to re-appear to him 
in mirrored vision. Sorrow for his criminal course 
came over his spirit. The thought of the possi- 
bility of help aroused him to noble effort, and, as 
her mind reached and penetrated him, imparting 
magnetic power and thoughts of the glory of life, 
he cried for help and mercy. He begged for light 
and sought it in true repentance. It was the cry 
of years of sin and degradation. Yet withal, he 
could not discern the light of the beautiful form 
before him. Sighs and tears redoubled until re- 
morse overcame his entire being. Marguerite con- 
tinued for hours to throw her influence about him 
with thoughts of pity and forgiveness, until, at 
last, the first glow of light passed over his face, 
and looking up, as if at some far distant object, 
he saw her bright form. Reaching out imploringly, 
without uttering a word, he gazed intently, as if 
fearing lest the beautiful sight might fade from 



94 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

view. Then, becoming sure of the vision, and 
realizing that the luminous form was his wife, the 
woman whom he had slain, he asked her for for- 
giveness, pleading for more light and goodness, 
and that he might be released from the thralldom 
of darkness. But she told him that perfect free- 
dom could only come through his own efforts. 
Marguerite, in the language of the spirit-world, 
kindly told him that the past was buried with the 
past, that, as a missionary, she had sought to help 
him out of his dark condition. Holding an olive 
branch in her right hand, she pointed to a* crown 
of light. To toil for that crown, by desiring only 
the good, cultivating thoughts of love and purity, 
by aiding others, as the ability and opportunity 
came, was the only way to obtain release. Already 
she informed him that he had the desire to arise 
out of the darkness, and that this good desire was 
his first step toward the light. She rehearsed how 
she herself had to make a conquest over self be- 
fore she came fully into the brighter and diviner 
light. 

We will not enter into the long conversation 
which passed between these two spirits — one, hap- 
py in the light, the other, unhappy in the darkness, 
at this remarkable interview, after the lapse of 



Marguerite HUnter S5 

so many years since the unhappy uniotl on earth 
was so abruptly terminated. She visited these dark 
scenes day after day, nor did she weary of her 
labor. Faithfully she continued to give him les- 
sons in spirit advancement, until she had helped 
him to rise out of his degraded and desolate con- 
dition into the more natural and brighter scenes 
of spiritual life, there to take up and perfect the 
higher lessons through his own desire of good which 
in earth-life he failed to develop. She had assisted 
her husband out of his wretched condition into an 
atmosphere of light, where he could learn his duty 
and could aid himself, and when he had reached 
a degree of spirituality where he could gradually 
attain higher knowledge, her special mission with 
him had partly been accomplished, though she 
never ceased to be interested in his progress. She 
was not his true marital companion, as mortals, 
from circumstances, would suppose. There was 
not that oneness of thought and innate attraction 
and purity of conjugal love between them, that 
exist in true soul-union. 

In spirit-life in the higher spheres there is no 
deception, no selfish considerations, no pledges of 
fidelity. There all laws are natural, and years 
may pass before one meets a true soul-mate. But 



96 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

there, as time advances, two souls will discover, 
each in the other, those affinitizing and compan- 
ionable qualities, perfectly and harmoniously 
blended in both that each becomes naturally drawn 
to the other and in their newly discovered spiritual 
galaxy, a star of worship to the other. Souls thus 
divinely united grow stronger in each other's affec- 
tions, stronger in all good qualities and good works, 
finding increasing pleasure in the pursuit of similar 
worthy objects as they journey, side by side, 
through a life of unending attractions. 

The mission of Marguerite and her husband, 
from the time of the first interview with him, lay 
in different directions. Not wholly apart do they 
wander, for all are members of one family, but 
while he, without her special guidance, by his own 
moral independence, aspiration and struggle contin- 
ues to seek knowledge and self-improvement in 
every field adapted to his condition, she looks 
after the urgent needs of others, carrying light and 
love to many in the prison of their darkness. Every 
pure desire, progressive thought, high aspiration 
brought to her students encouragement and the 
longing for greater achievements and power to un- 
fold, and it became impossible for them to sink 
back into their former condition of iniquity, so rad- 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 97 

ical and so fixed is the sphere of good when once 
attained. They continued to advance, and under 
her benign influence and wise instruction, their 
struggle grew easier until right forever triumphed. 

Through all this time Marguerite was encouraged 
and supported by her loving mother and Star of 
Hope. She occasionally met her former husband 
in his course, as one of her pupils, and encouraged 
him with her spiritual influence, until, as expe- 
rience after experience came to him, his condition 
in spirit-life brightened, and so her special work 
with him became finished. She beheld him a soul 
redeemed from sin through suffering and spiritual 
aspiration, developed from ignorance through ex- 
perience into light, made peaceful through regen- 
eration and his desire to assist others. He could 
now look upon her sweet soul, and humbly listen 
to her grand teachings as she portrayed to him the 
way to brighter love-light. 

Having finished the special duties, she was called 
into an atmosphere of advancement for which she 
was now fully prepared. Through constant study 
and benevolent practice, through self-sacrifice and 
tender sympathy in assisting the erring and de- 
graded, she could now pass into more radiant 
spheres, 



98 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

In her new sphere she found glad, welcoming 
friends awaiting her to impart strength and cour- 
age, who aided her to still advance and attain to 
more exalted spiritual unfoldments. Now she had 
reached that degree of culture and spirituality 
where she could look back and behold the far 
reaching, elevating influences of her work, and 
enjoy the refined emanations of a consecrated life. 
In this grand work and its fruitful results she ex- 
periences the reward of her labors. Here, in her 
new relations, Marguerite found all her surround- 
ings in keeping with her advancement. 

Her abode was a delightful temple, in beauty 
and grandeur outrivaling her former home, as did 
her first spiritual condition outrival her earth-home. 
Located in the central part of a quiet grove, em- 
blematic of a calm, peaceful life, her new home, 
in its graceful adornments, was beyond human 
conception. Undulating landscapes, clear, spar- 
kling waters, crystal walls were among the varied el- 
ements of natural and artistic beauty. Here she 
was gladly received and initiated into the mysteries 
of celestial love by simple ceremonies inculcating 
truth and fidelity as the key to all that is true, 
glorious and powerful in the spiritual universe. 

Spirits, like mortals, have organizations for ed- 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 99 

ucational purposes, and Marguerite was appointed 
a guardian, a position of trust in her new sphere. 
Her mission was to care for those of tender years, 
who, having entered spirit-life when in infancy, 
had grown to the more inquiring age of adoles- 
cence. They had received and mastered the prin- 
ciples of rudimental knowledge and inceptive spirit- 
uality, and were now investigating subjects framed 
to call forth their natural talent in the direction of 
its leading quality, observing carefully not an elec- 
tive system but a universal education calculated 
to induce a perfect, symmetrical development of 
soul. 

They meet from time to time, as children do in 
the schools of earth-life, though under more lov- 
ing and favorable conditions for growth, to recite 
their lessons and listen to the sentiments of wis- 
dom imparted to them by their teacher, and while 
giving evidences of special adaptation in this or 
that line of work, in which they are always encour- 
aged, they present a glowing picture of youth and 
beauty striving to attain higher ideals. These 
dear ones are thus educated in thought, developed 
in love by establishing perfect conditions of har- 
mony for soul unfoldment. These lessons are both 
instructive and entertaining, and like some on 



100 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

earth, are kindergarten in design and practice, rep- 
resenting some idea in nature, and so aptly pre- 
sented by teachers who are highly skilled in their 
art, as to be not only easily grasped, but to stim- 
ulate their youthful minds to higher aspirations. 
Some are gifted with musical talents; there are 
others whose tastes incline them to painting, the 
shaping of statuary or other art. All receive 
lessons from master minds, who delight to guide 
the awakened talent in its proper direction. They 
work in concord, and delight to please each other, 
growing in harmony, sympathy and love, while they 
unfold mentally, that they may become a perfect 
whole, each one fitting naturally and beautifully 
into his or her place, thus enabling all to perform 
the greatest amount of good. Unlike spirits lim- 
ited by material forms which confine them to the 
earth, their powers of perception and observation 
are very quick and keen. 

The children of this sphere in Summerland, are 
those who have preceded their parents by many 
years of calendar time. The memory of their mor- 
tal lives being short, they have grown to know 
their loved ones there through the sacred ties of 
affection, and are led back to the scenes of earth 
to gather experience; each one being attended by 




- 







The Surroundings of Her Heavenly H 



ome. 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 101 

a guardian angel, or a messenger of light, who 
watches every opportunity to benefit and please. 

Now, among these dear ones there were three 
from one family, two of whom had entered spirit- 
life in early infancy; the conditions of the material 
form being too severe, they had gently drifted 
into the Summerland. They were recognized as 
those coming from the home of him who had 
previously been mentioned as the teacher and 
friend, in earth-life, of the heroine of this narrative. 
They had been tenderly cared for and guided in 
spirit-life by the grandparents on the father's side 
through infancy into youth, and now, in the process 
of time, had sufficiently advanced to enter higher 
spheres. Here they were, by some divinely pre- 
conceived arrangement, placed under the tutelage 
of Marguerite, who had preceded them to this higher 
realm. It was a pleasant task for her to act as 
teacher to the children of one who had, in her 
early girlhood, acted in like capacity for her, and 
it touchingly revived in her heart the old-time 
friendship for him that had never forsaken her. 
As she instructed them, and in every possible man- 
ner interested herself in their welfare, she was 
not unmindful of her own sweet babes, who now 
had grown up, and whose progress she had watched 
and guided as conditions permitted. 



102 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

She instilled into the minds of her pupils a gentle 
spirit, taught them to cultivate a firm will that 
knows neither failure nor defeat, and to listen to 
the voice of reason and the higher inspirations. 
Her whole soul was engaged in her work — it was 
truly a labor of love. Her past experience had 
enlarged her sympathies and brought her into affec- 
tionate relations with all mankind; her courage, 
patience and gentleness, had won for her a vic- 
tory over all. 

There now came the time that she could return 
to earth at will, and visit the old scenes of her 
childhood. Her children had reached the period 
of active, useful life. They had been tenderly in- 
structed by her sisters, M and N , yet 

Marguerite saw in them great room for improve- 
ment. She continued to perform her duties in 
spirit-life, while returning to earth daily, and as a 
silent messenger of light and peace she threw 
around her dear ones an influence of love, often 
soothing the sad heart and bestowing upon them 
her blessing. Could her sisters and brothers have 
seen her, they would not have recognized her as 
the sorrowful sister, who had once been one of 
their number. Through tribulation and anguish, 
through joy and success, she had mastered herself 



MARGUERITE HUNTER . 103 

and had entered upon a new state of exis- 
tence. 

Her mission to earth was not confined to her 
own family. As guardian in her sphere, it was 
her duty to assist others in gaining discipline and 
knowledge through their varied impulses and ex- 
periences. Often she directed them to some special 
one with whom a soul unity could be formed, that 
through their presence grander spiritual results 
might be obtained. She visited many strange 
places, the abode of sorrow and suffering, and here, 
with other ministering spirits, found arduous but 
pleasant work among the unhappy inmates, in dis- 
pelling ignorance and vice by inspiring their minds 
with noble ideals, and thus transforming their 
thoughts, and hence controlling and leading them 
unconsciously into a higher mode of being. Silent- 
ly, like the sunlight, did she and her spirit com- 
panions exert their benign influence. Into the 
home of her early friend whose children in spirit 
life she now had charge of, she frequently came, 
seeking to impress kindly thoughts upon the mind 
of him whose life she now began to regard as in- 
dissolubly linked with her own. She could clearly 
read his thoughts. How often through her pres- 
ence, unconscious of the cause, his memory is re- 



104 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

freshed with the scenes of the past! He had not 
yet been convinced of the fact of mortal inter- 
communication with the higher world, nor did he 
yet realize that the loved one whom he mourned 
as gone from him forever still lived, and that in 
the family circle his dear little ones were daily 
gaining the earth experiences, by which they 
should advance to higher scenes in the spiritual 
realms. His thoughts were on and of the material 
plane, his time was occupied in obtaining earth's 
worldly goods, or in such moral and benevolent 
work as humanity demanded. For higher spirit- 
ual ideas and revelations he was content to wait 
the developments of time. He disbelieved past, 
he could rind no reason for present revelation. 

In her daily work for others, Marguerite contin- 
ued to labor, devising something new for the 
amelioration of the suffering, ever moving from 
her castle in spirit life to the humbler abodes of 
her own dear ones on earth, silently performing a 
noble work, directing them in thought to avenues 
of greater joy and success, instilling into their 
hearts the principles of benevolence, urging them 
to overcome the grosser impulses and purposes of 
life, and live for the higher and diviner spheres. 

Day after day she continued to bless them, 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 105 

though they were not aware of her presence. Her 
motherly heart yearned toward these objects of her 
tenderest affection, and she prayed that the time 
might come when she could reach them in a way 
that they, too, could know of the realities of the 
after life. 

She had been in spirit life twelve years, and yet 
she continually reached out in thought to them, 
while diligently performing the special duties as- 
signed her. She understood thoroughly material 
and spiritual laws, and was laboring for the con- 
summation of the one great attainment, communion 
with her friends on earth. 

Day after day she visited their homes, throwing 
around her loved ones an influence of receptivity of 
thought. With some, she at first succeeded better 
than with others. 

Many times the mind of him who had been her 
early intructor reverted to Marguerite and their 
associations in life. He often wondered why these 
pleasant memories of an old-time friendship, when 
least expected, would come and go, flitting before 
his mind like a bird of song. He had not yet be- 
come acquainted with the spiritual science and 
philosophy, and so did not suspect that it was the 
sweet influence of an invisible friend whose 



106 MAkGVtklTE HUNTER 

thoughts were affectionately intertwined with his 
own. When she sought to inspire him with the 
thought of investigating spiritual realities through 
gifted mediums, his feelings kindly, though uncon- 
sciously responded, but such effort, on his part, 
had no practical result, as his mind was so wholly 
engrossed with the cares of material things that he 
could not easily comprehend this new, dim spiritual 
horizon. 

But Marguerite did not weary of her labors. 

Five years had passed and she had not been able 
to impress him so that it resulted with favor to 
him. Assisted by the three children of his home 
circle who were now under her guardianship, all 
having been removed from the earth-sphere in 
tender years, she persistently threw an awakening 
influence around him. Their minds were growing 
stronger every day. With them she could combine 
and exert a more penetrating magnetic power. 
The memory of their parents had been revived and 
strengthened and their interest in them had greatly 
increased. Under the instruction of their guardian 
all joined her in forming a co-operative band that 
she knew would, in time, bring light to them. Thus 
they continued, as opportunity seemed most fa- 
vorable, to exert their benign, awakening influence 
upon him. 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 10*3 

In the year 1S75 another cloud swept over 
the parental home. The pride of the parents' 
heart, a daughter and sister, was stricken, and 
after a time of illness, her mortal frame became 
exhausted. Marguerite, with her mother and Star 
of Hope was in attendance by the bedside to re- 
lease her spirit from the earth-form and bear her 
to sublimer realms, where she was cared for, and 
through the kindly ministrations of Marguerite, 
enabled to grow stronger day by day, more un- 
folded in spirit, until the time came when she, too, 
joined the other dear ones, in their efforts to reach 
earth friends and bring light into the home. Sh^ 
had learned to know her brother and sister who 
had passed from earth many years before. Through 
Marguerite's unceasing influence, she readily 
learned the lessons of spirit-life, and was made 
happy in her new home. Marguerite had witnessed 
the deep grief occasioned by this great loss, with 
those in the home, and together they sought to 
alleviate their sorrow, throwing their influence of 
sympathy around them; but for a long time they 
refused to be comforted. Years did not erase the 
memory of the dear ones, but worldly affairs and 
the various duties of life diverted their minds, but 
time brought its balm and they ceased to grieve. 



108 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

Silently the influence of this faithful spirit band 
was brought to bear upon them, until it happened 
one day, in the fall of 1882, through curiosity rather 
than a deep interest, the father visited a medium, 
and later on, in the same year, while greatly ab- 
sorbed in business matters, he became interested 
in spiritual literature. Occasionally, in the so- 
cial circle, conversation turned on immortality or 
the continuity of life after physical dissolution, a 
subject which was attracting considerable atten- 
tion at this time in various parts of the country by 
what were commonly known as "spirit manifesta- 
tions." On all such opportune occasions Margue- 
rite and her spirit band tried to awaken in him 
a desire to radically investigate these new facts, 
knowing that if he could be convinced of the actu- 
ality of spirit communion, he would, in the face of 
all opposition, firmly adhere to what his judgment 
accepted as true. She constantly sought to throw 
about him an influence of receptivity, so that those 
of his own household who were in attendance with 
her might find conditions favorable to communica- 
tion. Unconsciously to himself, he drifted more 
and more each day into the divine light. New 
thoughts and aspirations arose, leading into new 
fields of investigation and into a vast realm of in- 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 109 

quiry and knowledge. So forcibly at times did 
these new ideas present themselves that they ex- 
cited in him wonder as to their source. The old 
themes of religion taught him by his parents in his 
childhood he never fully accepted; now they 
seemed ridiculously absurd and his reason rejected 
them as the crudities of a superstitious and bar- 
barous age. There were also times when he would 
feel inclined to seek quiet and seclusion. He could 
attribute this feeling to no particular source. He 
did not realize that it had its origin in spiritual 
forces. Such a thought was foreign to all of his 
ideas. After repeated efforts on the part of both 
spirits and mortals to interest him in spiritual 
phenomena, he deliberately made up his mind to 
quietly and fearlessly investigate. This resolution 
was in itself born of a high inspiration, and it im- 
parted new strength to him unlike anything he 
had ever known before. Formerly curiosity 
prompted him, but now he was actuated by a seri- 
ous, irrepressible desire to know the truth of the 
after life, and prompted by this earnest motive, 
availing himself of whatever information others of 
like mind could impart, he gladly and thoroughly 
investigated the phenomena, as presented through 
different mediums, thus finding the first evidences 



110 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

of a new revelation. His children who, so many 
years ago, had passed into what seemed to him to 
be the unknown and the unknowable, returned in 
the sweet simplicity of their childhood, assuming 
the form and age so familiar to him, that by this very 
naturalness of manifestation they might readily be 
recognized. Through advanced intelligences associ- 
ated with them in their sphere, Marguerite and her 
spirit band were enabled to inspire and depict such 
thoughts as would further unfold his spiritual be- 
ing, as a preparation for a still more comprehensive 
study of spiritual science. Through them he was 
made acquainted with his dear parents, who had 
departed earth-life when he was but a child, yet 
who had ever been interested in and watchful of 
his spiritual and material progress. Through con- 
stant and long study, they had gained perfect 
knowledge of the laws governing spiritual manifes- 
tations, and were able to reach him in such a way 
as to secure unqualified recognition. Carefully 
they guarded his thoughts against the intrusions of 
fanaticism on the one hand, and the positive con- 
dition of unbelief on the other, while enthusiastic- 
ally studying the evidences that might establish 
the fact and unfold the mystery of inter-soul-com- 
munion between the two worlds. Many opposed 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 111 

him, some even ridiculed him, but nothing daunted 
his courage or defeated his purpose. Conscious, 
in the light of reason, of the rectitude of his course, 
true to his honest convictions, and following the 
higher inspirations, we find him, in the decline of 
the year 1890, firmly established in the doctrine 
of a future life and the possibility of spirit return, 

In the same year, near the approach of the hol- 
iday season, Marguerite made her first material 
appearance to her former teacher and friend, an- 
nouncing her return to the mortal sphere by a 
sharp sound, like that of a pistol-shot. She as- 
sumed this manner of manifestation to impress 
her presence upon him more vividly and sensibly. 
Somewhat startled at such phenomena, and being 
told by the guide of the medium at whose session 
he sat that it was intended for his recognition, he 
walked to the cabinet in which she had appeared 
in materialization, and exclaimed, "In the name of 
all that is good, who are you?" 

The response came, as they cordially greeted 
each other, "I am Marguerite, your friend, Maggie 
Hunter, as I was more commonly known." 

Overcome with intense emotion, it was with some 
difficulty that they could, at first, give full expres- 
sion to their thoughts. Though the conversation 



112 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

at this meeting was very brief, there was mutual 
recognition of the long existing attachment which 
had been blighted in its spring-time, but glorified 
now in a reunion, the crowning happiness of their 
life, so unexpected and undreamed of when last 
they parted on earth. 

They had frequent and similar interviews. Long 
and interesting conversations took place at these 
meetings, in which all their past life was rehearsed. 
Thoughts were freely exchanged, and both now 
understood more perfectly, in this union of two 
souls, how essential each was to the happiness of 
the other. Satisfactory explanation was given as 
to why she had not appeared before. She had 
been patiently waiting for his new desire for higher 
truth and the investigation as well as full accept- 
ance of the fact of spirit return, and her own more 
perfect understanding of the laws which govern 
spirit communication with mortals. 

It is not necessary to enter into detail of the 
results which arose from the repeated meetings. 
She had now succeeded in accomplishing what she 
had long desired. The unity of true soul-love was 
permanently established. Through him she would 
now labor and complete her mission to earth. 
Through every manner of medial communication 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 113 

and manifestation known to the world she contin- 
ued to come to him, ever presenting some new and 
interesting lesson in life, until he had so grown in 
capacity of spirit that he could enter into co-oper- 
ation with her for the future unfoldment of her de- 
sires and in the presentation of this narrative. At 
this time, he was quietly and comfortably situated 
in his home, with his aged and feeble wife, grad- 
ually nearing the boundary of earth-life. Still 
vigorous and energetic, he entered open-heartedly 
into the inviting work of the spiritual field, scat- 
tering broadcast the seeds of progress and of angel 
ministry, bringing light and comfort to many sor- 
rowing souls. 

Like all new truth that confronts human preju- 
dice, and bears the brand of unpopularity, his per- 
sonal work and avowed Spiritualism excited more 
or less bitter opposition Even in his home circle, 
the unfashionable philosophy did not receive a cor- 
dial welcome. In time, however, reason prevailed, 
and right at length conquered! Ever seeking the 
most advanced thought, he cheerfully imparted 
knowledge to others, though the time and labor re- 
quired for the new duties materially added to his 
already arduous secular labors. His interviews with 
Marguerite, through media, were frequent, their 



114 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

greetings were very cordial, the influences of each 
were both genial and commanding, all restraint was 
removed and a new charm was added as a gem 
to life. Language cannot express their supreme 
happiness in having acquired sufficient knowledge 
of the laws of nature to be able to communicate 
to each other their thoughts and feelings. 

The telepathy, the personal, face to face con- 
versations at seances for materializations and the 
written and mental communications through writ- 
ing and trance media became a profound and in- 
teresting study. 

In course of time, Marguerite expressed to him 
her desire to reach her children, all of whom were 
still in the earth-form. She knew their thoughts 
and realized that they were not in harmony with 
the new revelation which Spiritualism gave, and 
that, in their ignorance and doubt, it would be 
useless to try to communicate with them through 
other avenues. She had left them when in their 
infancy, and though they had not entirely forgot- 
ten their mother, their memory of her was vague 
and indistinct. Still residing in the vicinity of her 
parental home, surrounded by those of the most 
rigid orthodox faith, she realized the great difficulty 
and opposition that would encircle her efforts of 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 115 

interesting them in a science and philosophy new to 
them and against which they had conceived a strong 
and bitter prejudice. It would be next to impossi- 
ble to satisfy them that their mother, she who had 
so tenderly cared for them in their youth, was pres- 
ent with them in spirit form and could talk or de- 
sired to talk with them. Nor is it strange that 
such should be the case — it would be stranger had 
it been otherwise! As there were no developed 
medial qualities within those of the home circle, she 
knew that through other avenues than those of her 
own kindred she must approach them and gradually 
bring the light to them, even in a manner as she 
had made to reach and communicate with her 
former teacher, whose co-operation she now de- 
sired in these her efforts to reach her children. 
Business matters and opposition in his home cir- 
cle, prevented his assisting her at this time. Re- 
garding this obstacle as temporary, she continued 
quietly to throw around them, as she had around 
him, an influence of receptivity, until the way 
should open for the accomplishment of this deep 
desire of her heart. His aged and feeble wife 
meanwhile was gradually failing physically, and re- 
quired his constant watchfulness and care. Meeting 
at different times with his family circle, Mar- 



116 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

guerite lifted the veil of doubt from her mind con- 
cerning spirit return and life as she brought to her 
through her husband and media in the form of 
manifestations and communications many messages 
from her children, thus seeking to convince her 
that they still lived and could and did return to 
her. She thus imparted lessons, so full of tender- 
ness and light, that they appealed both to her un- 
derstanding and her heart. She became finally a 
firm believer, and it was a source of great consola- 
tion to her as she was descending life's rugged 
pathway that the rough places in the dark valley 
had been made smooth, and the darkness itself had 
become light with the presence of the angels. She 
felt fully prepared for the change which was soon 
to come. These rich treasures of absolute knowl- 
edge were given through the combined influences 
of parents, children, and Marguerite. Her journey 
into spirit life was planned by them, and hourly 
they watched and waited for her transition, that 
they might translate her to her heavenly rest. As 
her physical strength failed and the hours of her 
mortal life gently ebbed away, her children and 
friends from the spirit side of life drew nearer her, 
seeking to soothe her condition and illuminate her 
spiritual understanding. She seemed conscious of 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 117 

the presence of her loved ones and silently she 
communed with them. Cheerfully she resigned 
herself to the change of worlds, which she now 
fully realized was at hand. She conversed with 
her husband and friends freely upon the subject. 
Her vital force gradually ebbed, the death angel 
silently drew his cold mask over her face, but 
through the colorless clay her soul, aglow with the 
light of spiritual truth and love, shone resplen- 
dently. 

Her family life had been one of sunshine. 
With her children and husband she had lived in 
perfect harmony. She could now look back over 
all and offer thanksgiving. The summer had given 
place to the autumn, the harvest had been garnered 
and for her there was no winter — she was about 
to depart to the land of eternal sunshine. 

As she was slowly losing her hold on the phys- 
ical form and the tender thread of magnetic light 
was about to break, in nature's vanishing glory, 
she occasionally caught clairvoyant glimpses of the 
Summerland, She talked joyously with her friends 
about her departure, and naturally, as one would 
talk about going to a distant but heavenly country. 
All were deeply affected, but she was calm through 
all, only awaiting the ministering angels to bear 
her home to the eternal spheres. 



118 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

On Sunday morning, the 24th day of Septem- 
ber, 1893, Sarah M. Horine peacefully passed to 
the higher life. There was sadness among all, 
the veil of gloom fell over the home, but sunshine 
lifted the shadow. 

The transition of a soul from the mortal to the 
spiritual plane bequeaths more or less sadness to 
remaining friends, even though hope has had its 
full fruition. Her husband was not without con- 
solation and joy in his deep sorrow, knowing, as 
he so thoroughly did, from the laws of spiritual 
science and the fact of personal spirit identity and 
return, that she would await him in a brighter 
world, and in a more perfect life, and with the 
dear ones gone before, return to those that remain. 

All that was mortal of his beloved wife having 
been quietly laid to rest beneath the evergreens of 
earth, his attention, with that of her immediate 
family, was naturally more intently directed to 
the land of the unseen, whose foliage suffers no 
blight, and whose buds and blossoms ripen into 
perennial fruitage and where sacred memories are 
wreathed in living green. He was not left to wan- 
der alone in his trials. Marguerite and his chil- 
dren in spirit life were in constant attendance, in- 
spiring him with courage and hope. Busy during 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 110 

the day with his worldly affairs, his evening hours 
were devoted to thoughtful inquiry and spiritual 
communion 

In about three weeks after the funeral services, 
the departed spirit, under the superintendence of 
Marguerite, assisted by the band of children who 
had preceded their mother to the beautiful spirit 
world, having learned the laws and conditions of 
spirit return, made her appearance at a seance at- 
tended by Mr. Horine, to whom she revealed her 
identity and by whom she was fully recognized. 
From time to time, as occasion offered, she con- 
tinued to manifest materially, becoming more suc- 
cessful each time, showing a marked progress in 
a knowledge of the laws of life as related to this 
phase of spirit return, and, in a comparatively short 
time, reached a high degree of perfection in her 
ability to communicate with mortals. Though not 
yet a member of the same sphere as Marguerite 
and her children, she is gradually ascending to 
the higher realm of their divine companionship. 

From the time of Marguerite's first communica- 
tion with her old-time friend and tutor she had in- 
dulged the hope that when circumstances fully 
favored, through changes and developments which 
she knew in the order of nature were destined to 



120 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

occur, she would, through the assistance of the 
higher intelligences in the spheres of light, and 
the harmonious combination of chosen media of 
earth, give, in detail, her experiences both in mor- 
tal and spiritual life. In this way, she hoped to 
give absolute knowledge of her identity and all that 
is involved in it, to the dear ones, especially of her 
own family, whose hearts had been doubly sad- 
dened as the tragic incidents of her life were re- 
called from time to time. 

So marked and unusual had been her experien- 
ces in some respects, so entirely different from the 
ordinary life-line, that she desired to impart to her 
friends in earth, the lessons which these higher 
schools of discipline and knowledge had so impres- 
sively taught her, in hope that they might profit 
thereby, and, perhaps, not only escape many of 
the impediments to progress, both on the material 
and spiritual side of life, but much added suffering. 
Though she has been many years in the spirit 
world, her love for her children has not diminished 
but increased. They too had enjoyed their pleas- 
ures, and had had their full share of the sorrows 
of life. Marguerite had taken cognizance of all, 
having no regrets, as she had now acquired the 
knowledge that gave her an insight into the laws 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 121 

of life's unfoldments and she understood how all 
their experiences, however severe and trying, how- 
ever much they might imbitter the springs of life, 
were elements of growth, unfolding the soul into 
a harvest of perennial good. 

Having failed by her individual efforts, to make 
any conscious, awakening impression on the minds 
of those of her family, opposed as they still were 
to the spiritual science and philosophy, she sought 
to lead them into a knowledge of the truth through 
other channels. 

During the year of 1893, through a favorable 
combination of circumstances, it happened that 

Marguerite's eldest child, L -, visited in the 

neighborhood of the home of Mr. C. H. Horine,her 
mother's teacher, who had, about three years pre- 
vious, received a communication from her mother 
in spirit life, and who had ever since been deeply 
interested in aiding Marguerite to accomplish her 
desire of communicating with her children. They 
had some conversation on the subject of spirit re- 
turn, and finding that she was not adverse to re- 
ceiving it, he presented her with some literature on 
the spiritual science and philosophy. 

Later on, during a visit of Mr. Horine to the old 
Kentucky home, in a conversation with L— — the 



122 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

mere mention of the sad occurrences of their early 
life in connection with her mother's sad history, 
revived so many heart-rending memories as to 
almost distract her. Doubtless this feeling of sad- 
ness had much to do with creating an aversion to 
the investigation of the phenomena of Spiritual- 
ism. But knowing, if the soul-inspiring truth of 
spirit communion could once be fully established 
in their minds, and the children once realized that 
they were conversing with their mother in spirit 
life, that they could feel the warm pulsation of her 
motherly affection, that the reaction would be so 
great that joy would supplant sorrow, and the sun- 
shine of heaven dispel all sad memories, Mr. Hor- 
ine was not discouraged in any of his efforts, but 
he persistently and unselfishly endeavored, even 
at the risk of his own sense of pride and his repu- 
tation, to faithfully present the facts herein recorded 
for their good, and the advancement of all seekers 
after truth who may become interested in the 
perusal of the narrative. 

Marguerite communicated through different me- 
diums for the purpose of finding those through 
whose mediumship she and the higher spirit guides, 
acting as a controlling and Co-operating agency, 
could best present these her experiences to the 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 123 

world. Intelligences from the spirit side with her 
were also perfecting conditions for the consumma- 
tion of this end. Late in the fall of 1893, after 
the spirit of Mrs. Horine had passed beyond and 
had acquired the power of manifesting her pres- 
ence to her friends on earth, and had joined the 
band of her spirit children, all together, in blessed 
unity and harmony under the guidance of Margue- 
rite, combined their forces and through the aid 
of those media chosen of earth have presented the 
facts of this narrative of life in the material and 
spiritual spheres. 



CHAPTER IV. 

All souls flow out to meet a boundless love, 

And through all forms and modes outwork the pattern fair; 
Even to God will they below, above, 

Aspire, and seek for Him through progress everywhere. 

And love will lead them as a little child, 

Until each soul the true and perfect mate has won, 

And then in peace forever sweet and undefiled, 
They will abide with the Eternal One. 

To the reader of this volume, it will perhaps ap- 
pear strange and confusing that Marguerite, after 
displaying such an amiable, angelic character in 
earth-life, should, upon her entering into spirit- 
life, seemingly degenerate. There is a deep philos- 
ophy underlying this condition of soul, that does 
not appear on the surface. The seemingly pri- 
mary cause is to be found in her abrupt, forced 
separation from her children, who, ever uppermost 
in her thoughts, seemed a part of her own being 
and as dear to her as her own life. And when all 
means of communication with them were cut off, 
in her great anxiety she naturally reverted to the 

124 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 125 

real cause of her trouble. At first, every avenue 
of access to those who needed her sympathy and 
providence seemed to be closed; a source of trouble 
too great for her sensitive nature, which, in 
earth life had been strained to its utmost tension 
by the cruel treatment of one whom she could 
kindly forgive while the treasures of her heart were 
not torn from her. And this apparently unchange- 
able condition, so far as her relation to her help- 
less ones was concerned, overpowered her reason, 
chilled and for the time perverted her gracious 
nature. Besides, her spiritual perceptions and 
life had not yet been fully or sufficiently estab- 
lished and developed. To be able to withstand or 
overcome one set of trials and temptations is not 
always a surety of a nature able to overcome the 
yet more difficult ones. The real test of spiritual 
life lies in the personal power, so grounded in 
spirituality as to make the soul arise victorious 
over the greatest as well as the least obstacle in the 
pathway of life. Superficial life or conformity to 
moral rules, an agreeable and accepted exterior 
display of piety, are often specious forms of self- 
righteousness or hints of slight spiritual unfold- 
ments, a veritable pitfall into which many are en- 
snared; but spiritual life is real and radical. Had 



126 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

Marguerite truly studied the laws of communication 
with mortals, or heeded the admonition and teach- 
ings of her guardian, or had she acquired in earth 
or in spirit life an all-conquering love unfoldment, 
she would have saved herself many weary years 
of baffled and baffling toil. Yet the plan of destiny 
as unrolled in her life denied her so easy an ascent 
to the spheres of light or victory over the evil of 
the world. Certain divine qualities of her being, 
like sparks of fire that reveal themselves only in 
the darkness of night, must manifest themselves to 
her through a course that lay amid the shadows 
of revenge and materiality. So that in the uni- 
versal, righteous but mysterious process of evolu- 
tion, the mistake of Marguerite resulted in a dis- 
cipline that contributed to higher unfoldment of 
character, since she, having tried every relative 
way but the absolutely right one, ultimately dis- 
covered her error, and triumphed over her own 
passion and folly. She learned, most thoroughly 
learned, that revenge was not an element of prog- 
ress, and hence she naturally and right royally 
sought to overcome this strong adverse feeling, by 
trying to uplift and lead into a pure life, the soul 
of him whose cruelty to her and her children, had 
made him an object of hatred. There opened up 



Marguerite hunTer 121 

to her at once and glowed as a light all about her 
visions of a new and larger field of missionary work. 
What had seemed hard and repulsive became now 
congenial labor, for Marguerite had truly experi- 
enced a change of heart. She found many others 
in the lower spheres of the spirit world, in various 
states of degradation, and she sought to elevate 
them by leading them into the right path. To 
forgive her most bitter enemies was to her no longer 
a work of self denial; it was a source of enjoyment. 

The lower spheres of the spirit world are largely 
filled with undeveloped spirits, but with all, even 
the lowest, there are provisions made and oppor- 
tunities given for advancement; and as new light 
and moral courage come and they ascend the di- 
vine scale of harmony, they also, according to their 
ability, become missionaries and good Samaritans 
to the benighted kindred. 

During the eight years that Marguerite was 
earth-bound, she was not idle. She was too ac- 
tive a soul even in earth life to accustom herself 
to inertia, and though it may not be necessary 
here to narrate all the minor details of her busy 
career, suffice it to say that all of her energies 
found a natural channel of expression. She had 
the impulses of one in a new country, and grew as 



128 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

knowledge increased, but was ceaselessly working 
at the problem dearest of all others to her heart, 
as has already been revealed, of finding a way to 
and providing a means for the care of her children. 
From them her thoughts were never turned. She 
rested from her labors, as mind finds rest in the 
world of mortals. She fed on the aliment which 
her sphere afforded, for spirits have the means 
of assimilating elements of sustenance from the 
atmosphere, and when her ability for this was not 
sufficient, the heavenly ravens fed her. 

It is not to be understood that after Marguerite's 
return to spirit life from her eight years of earth- 
bound condition, and until she had progressed to 
the condition where she could, at will, return and 
communicate with her friends, — that she had not 
at any time visited or heard from her dear ones. 
There are intermediate spirits who act as messen- 
gers for inter-communication between spirits, or 
spirits and mortals, when some natural disparity 
or inability exists between them, the result of im- 
perfect development, which is an effectual bar to 
their communication. There are different classes 
of missionary spirits, who make it their special 
work to find those in this unfortunate condition, 
and teach them by example, the great law of life 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 129 

« 

that love seeks to unfold. By this natural method, 
amply provided for in the divine economy of the 
spiritual kingdom, Marguerite frequently heard 
from her children, although sometimes unable 
herself to approach very near them. 

The lessons to be learned in spirit life are many 
and various, and, as in earth life, they are suggest- 
ed and mastered gradually by the need and un- 
foldment of the soul. So naturally does the spirit 
make progress in the spirit world, whose boundary is 
very near to earth, that it does not take cognizance 
of any special lapse of time, and though commenc- 
ing life in the next world at the point where it 
ceased it in this, and proceeding according to ac- 
quired spiritual strength and collateral environ- 
ments, it moves through the spheres with no thought 
of time: first, to complete all the unfinished les- 
sons of earth, and this implies a knowledge of all 
the facts and the various kinds of discipline needed 
to round out a perfect character, and then to push 
on toward ultimate perfection. There are special 
methods of instruction all superior to those of 
earth, and, though analogous, they cannot, in 
many respects, be compared to them. Mortals 
can comprehend a change only by comparison. 
There are laws and conditions in spirit life that 



130 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

can be realized only through experience — words 
utterly fail to elucidate them. All have one thought 
language, which is a great advantage, though, for 
a time, their mother tongue, in part, is used. All 
sufficiently illuminated spirits can read each other's 
thoughts. Thus it is that with the spirit there is 
no deceit. All see themselves and others as they 
really are. Life is one. It is in all worlds the 
same. Its nature cannot be changed by passing 
from one world to another, but the spirit (the real 
man or the real woman) having divested itself of 
the cumbrous material form, and having now a 
different environment, the true laws of life can as- 
sert themselves to better advantage. The senses, 
appetites, passions and thoughts become as it were 
transparent, and natural, spiritual laws are more 
thoroughly realized and understood. Death is not 
a mystery, but a natural event in life. And hence 
spirits readily perceive that it is an element in prog- 
ress, affording the opportunity for the unfoldment 
of life into a higher expression. Everywhere 
there is life, everywhere advancement, everywhere 
the fulfillment of the higher law of destiny. 

There was a period of eight years after Margue- 
rite's entrance into the spirit-world during which 
time she does not refer to having met or thought 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 131 

of her former friend and teacher, C. H. Horine. 
This was not due to his having passed entirely out 
of her memory, but first because of her perturbed 
condition and then because of her deeper interest 
in her children. Her state of mind was so entirely 
different from what it had been in her school days, 
when she spent so many pleasant hours in his 
company, that it tended to repel her from rather 
than attract her to him. He would not have rec- 
ognized in the revengeful woman the sweet tem- 
pered Marguerite, the ideal of his youthful 
acquaintance. She knew of his patriotic service in 
the cause of his country, and a few times, in her 
more lucid moments, she impressed him with her 
presence, but her perverse mental and moral con- 
dition during this time kept her from tarnishing a 
friendship that had been to her most sacred. He 
did not specially need her assistance, but her chil- 
dren, she firmly believed, did; for them she had a 
mother's strong devotion that overcame all obsta- 
cles, real or apparent. It was not until after she 
had met his spirit mother, in her progress in the 
higher sphere, that Marguerite expressed any 
thought or desire about him. His mother's great 
interest in her, naturally awakened a desire, after 
she had fully recovered from the passion of re- 



132 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

venge, to renew the old-time friendship with her 
son. The time had not come until then. 

There is a natural, wisely ordained method in 
the realm of soul, embracing and providing for 
every necessary event and activity in social and 
spiritual evolution, as there is in the physical uni- 
verse. It may seem perplexing and unthinkable 
that if spirits know that the dearest objects of 
their love, who are in deep distress or who need 
special care, will, in time, recover from all their 
troubles, and advance to supreme happiness, that 
Marguerite should have been so anxious about her 
orphan babes. This anxiety is one of the elemen- 
tary laws of progress. The mother who clearly 
foresees that her child, in the full enjoyment of 
educational privileges, with a naturally bright 
mind, will, in the course of a certain number of 
years, by a close application to study, acquire a 
fair education, does not, on this account, relax her 
interest in him or fail to urge him on in his 
school duties, but these hopeful prospects rather 
increase her zeal and foster her devotion to her 
child. These varying elements incident to life 
adhere to conditions in both worlds. 

As Marguerite advanced in spirit life, and be- 
came acquainted with its different laws and their 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 133 

applications and effects, she gradually developed a 
more earnest spirit of investigation. She became 
anxious to learn of all the friends and members of 
her family. For some time, until she had over- 
come the effect of earth's attractions, she did not 
communicate with her brother and sister, whom 
she had seen in her vision, upon her first entering 
spirit life. Through her mother and guardian Star 
of Hope, she often learned of their condition, and 
through intermediate messengers, she received 
words of wisdom and cheer. Two sisters and two 
brothers had preceded her into spirit life, and 
advanced to far higher spheres. Her mother, who 
took up the new lessons more readily than herself, 
was also in advance. A few years after her own 
transition, she was joined by another sister and 
two other brothers, and in the year 1875, by her 
own dear father. Each one had endured and over- 
come the earth-bound condition, a result growing 
out of early training and differing soul expressions 
and character, and had grown into the higher un- 
derstanding of the spiritual law of progression. 
All had their family ties as had Marguerite. Part 
of these dear ones have joined them, and are to- 
gether as in one band, and others still remain in 
the form. Those in the earth are religiously in- 



134 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

clined, but they do not believe that any friends in 
heaven can communicate with friends on earth. 
Some are far from the old homestead, but the 
greater number remain in the neighborhood of the 
old Kentucky home. 

Spirits have no need of the system of counting 
dates, corresponding to earth's calendar time. 
Life there is on too grand a scale to be measured 
by hours, years or centuries! Events and degrees 
of advancement, as the occasion of entering a higher 
sphere, or progressing to a higher degree in the 
circle of each sphere, become points or correspond- 
ing dates in the history of each soul, and mark 
special periods of unfoldment. In referring, for 
mortals' convenience, to their calendar time, spir- 
its sometimes find much difficulty in fixing exact 
dates, except through a medium whose sensitive 
organization, as is the case with a very few, is 
peculiarly adapted to this specialty, and then such 
sometimes fail in giving exact dates. Nor is any 
mental impression ever wholly obliterated. The 
mind, for reasons which here would consume too 
much space to explain, cannot always avail itself 
of its storehouse of treasures, but the jewels are 
all there, sometimes tarnished, it may be, and in- 
capable of emitting their light. Spirits do not for- 




Marguerite's Home in the Fifth Sphere in Spirit Life. 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 135 

get any events. Especially do the ties of affec- 
tion and relationship adhere in the heart's mem- 
ory; the incidents inwoven in their subtle tissues 
are well fixed in the mind, but the time of their 
occurrence is with more difficulty recalled. This 
is due to the fact that a date is not an actual 
event, but simply a point marking an event in time 
which is regarded as one eternal here. 

We have not deemed it necessary to give, in 
detail, but only in perspective, the higher advan- 
tages and truths acquired by Marguerite since her 
sojourn in spirit life. She extended her investi- 
gations and experiments in all directions, con- 
quered many difficulties and acquired vast knowl- 
edge, the full account of which cannot be here nar- 
rated, nor would it, were it told, be comprehended 
in the impoverished language of rudimental ex- 
istence. There are facts and laws of being that 
the spirit, in its free condition, can understand, but 
which science, as understood by mortals, has not 
yet explained, nor is it in all cases able to ex- 
plain. 

At the present time, she inhabits the fifth con- 
dition in advance of the earth plane, and in ad- 
vance of rudimental spirituality and existence, 
known to mortals as the fifth sphere. To the 



136 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

spirit, this sphere has a far greater signification. 
Mortals may receive some idea of it from the grades 
of educational advancement in their plane, yet so 
far greater are these spiritual spheres as illustrat- 
ing soul unfoldments that they may be properly 
likened to so many separate worlds or exact peri- 
ods of a lifetime. Yet these spheres comprehend 
both soul states and environments. 

The process of growth, intellectual, moral and 
spiritual, is not unlike that of earth, but more 
active and extensive. Spirits free from the mate- 
rial form and advanced in the conditions can pene- 
trate substance, move rapidly through space; and, 
being more sensitive to vibrations, they have there- 
fore greater mental freedom and activity, are more 
receptive to the inspirations of higher intelligences, 
and can progress more rapidly. They compre- 
hend the simplicity of nature, and faithfully fol- 
low her teachings. Nature's laws are their Bible, 
the higher spiritual inspirations their guide, and 
life the great problem for all time. 

Throughout the realm of spirit life, the higher 
intelligences, through messengers of special har- 
mony and adaptability, known among mortals as 
mediums, transmit thought to those on lower 
planes. In this way inspiration comes to all in the 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 137 

Spheres, and thus knowledge is disseminated and 
culture encouraged. Through this beneficent law 
of mental telepathy, Marguerite had conversed 
with her brothers and sisters who had preceded 
her in the higher realms. After the third sphere 
had been reached, Marguerite, who was still the 
guardian of the children of her former friend and 
tutor, through intermediate messengers, continued 
to lead them, and, also, to guide the dear ones of 
her own family and others, who joined her later in 
the spirit world; and from her present position she 
is able to communicate in thought with her broth- 
ers and sisters far in advance of her. She is now 
especially laboring to reach those who are dear to 
her, yet who still are in the earth form, to impart 
to them such knowledge as will be practically 
available for growth and a staff on which to lean 
in the hour of physical dissolution, a source of 
strength and light at all times, and a certain rev- 
elation of life beyond the grave, in short, a knowl- 
edge which will serve as the foundation of happi- 
ness in this and the next world. 

The question might arise in the minds of some, 
why Marguerite should be especially appointed 
the guardian of her former tutor's children; why 
them any more than other little ones, who had 



138 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

passed to the higher life before their parents. The 
explanation is found in the relation and magnetic 
attractions of the souls to and for each other. 
Naturally one acquainted with and deeply interested 
in another will be attracted to those having a like 
interest, and to those whose subtle soul relations 
are especially sacred, and therefore they will be 
ready to co-operate with each other in all good 
work. With purity of purpose this harmonious 
action produces the highest results. But inher- 
ently in the soul there are indestructible and in- 
effaceable affinities which spiritually are potent 
throughout the endless spheres, One soul gravi- 
tates by this law to another, and in the unity har-' 
mony obtains. This law is without variation even 
in earth, and the fact of human love, marriage and 
brotherhood, is established upon and fixed by it. 
Marguerite's mother was constantly attracted in 
guardianship to her children, as are all true par- 
ents to their own. Star of Hope, who had left her 
children in even more tender years, was constantly 
reaching out to them in guidance and care. She 
was cognizant of the harmony existing between 
her son and Marguerite. From her experiences in 
spirit life, attained by a deep study and observa- 
tion of soul law and states of unfoldment and the 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 139 

soul's attractions, she recognized the affinity of 
their relation to each other to be one of natural 
harmony, and she sought to bring about a consum- 
ation of this spiritual union. She regarded it 
as a part of her mission to aid in giving expression 
and practical issue to this divine principle. As into 
darkness light is born, or out of evil good comes, 
so out of all human imperfections and misunder- 
standings, through a method of divine govern- 
ment, the spirit will fully understand the adjust- 
ment and unity of all harmonious elements. Sur- 
roundings full of embarrassing features, in time, 
often facilitate the unfoldment of this divine plan. 
The path of Marguerite and her early tutor was 
not always strewn with flowers. Their environ- 
ments were, in some respects, quite dissimilar and 
conflicting. Hereditary pride, timidity, the time- 
honored customs of society, and the various per- 
plexing forces that solemnly intrude their presence 
when least expected in the court of the heart's af- 
fections, prevented the consummation of their early 
attachment. However, all events foreshadowed 
the horoscope of their ultimate oneness. 

There is an exceedingly fine combination of 
power and principle in all the program of life fully 
understood by the spirit world. The elements of 



140 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

harmony potent in earth life are not destroyed, 
but they re-assert their quality amid like harmo- 
nious conditions in the higher life. The prepa- 
ration for a more perfect understanding and unity 
goes on through all eternity, and each soul, like 
the magnet, draws nearer in its course, until it 
attracts its own. Star of Hope had fully studied 
these heavenly, penetrating laws existing through- 
out the universe, and understood their nature and 
effect. From such high spiritual motives and 
understanding, she assisted in arranging conditions 
for spiritual communion, and in bringing about 
such atmospheres and states of harmony as each 
would welcome as incident to and outlining a 
companionship gradually growing through the an- 
nals of time into true soul-union. 

It is well to explain here that, owing to igno- 
rance and false methods, people most imcompati- 
ble in nature most frequently associate as 
companions in mortal life. The true soul-unions or 
marriages are rare, and only are possible with those 
of higher spiritual adaptability. Many, indeed, 
are not really conscious of their mistake until they 
enter the higher life; so veiled is the mind to 
this delicate but seemingly omnipotent law. Here, 
in this world of light where no masks can deceive 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 141 

or pleasure corrupt, through a more perfect knowl- 
edge of natural law, souls are drawn into closer 
spiritual relations, old marital bonds are severed 
and the really united move in the way of the an- 
gels, who in the material sense neither marry nor 
are given in marriage. And such affinity or mar- 
riage is indeed the perfection often of that super- 
ficial union begun or consummated on earth; it is 
the white rose of eternal love. Spirits witness 
the demoralizing effect of incompatibility in the 
married lives of mortals, and, in the interest of the 
highest morality, of that true progress the radical 
principles of which lay the only foundation for 
supreme happiness here or hereafter, seek to point 
out a divine and universal spiritual law, that should, 
as early as consistent with the highest interests of 
all concerned, be embodied in practical form. The 
time has come when mortals should awaken to 
the true philosophy of marriage, and stand on the 
solid rock of truth. That which is interior and 
spiritual is being brought to the surface each day, 
and affecting the marriage vows and relations, and 
through spirit agency the truth is reforming the 
world by gradual social evolution in which the soul 
is becoming more and more refined and adapting 
it to the heavenly and angelic union. 



142 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

Conscience is not fully born in some until after 
the change called death. Marguerite did not be- 
come fully cognizant of this important law under- 
lying all true domestic happiness until she had 
been in spirit life a long time and had made a 
careful study and practice of its principles. Since 
then she has been interested not only in her own 
development in regard to this law, but has impart- 
ed a knowledge of its benign influence to others 
on the earth sphere who, after mutual misunder- 
standings and long separation, have as a conse- 
quence renewed their attachments, and by a true 
soul affinity have won the pearl of great price. 

This important question, the leading one in fun- 
damental existence and the solution of which is 
found in the philosophy of the soul's unfoldment 
and destiny, the question which is the characteristic 
feature of social science, though somewhat mooted 
and unpopular among mortals, for the reason that 
it is not fully comprehended in all of its natural, 
delicate, prenatal and home relations and bear- 
ings, or because, owing to the erratic conduct of 
some, marriage is associated with immorality, has 
been here freely and frankly discussed, hoping 
that the suggestions made may lead to higher 
methods, more heavenly purposes and real soul 



Marguerite hunter 143 

anions among all. By subjecting the physical to 
the control of the spiritual nature, marriage be- 
comes indeed the institution of God and the adage 
that all true marriages are made in heaven be- 
comes no longer a travesty or rhapsody of words. 
Child birth will be looked upon as a holy event — 
the birth into earth life of an angel blossom sent 
from the courts of the Most High, and the home as 
one of the delightful centers about which all celes * 
tial spheres ever revolve. For let it not be forgot- 
ten that marriage projects its happy or baleful state 
beyond the grave — into the endless future and 
there the divine law of marriage must be recog- 
nized and obeyed. Progress among mortals and 
immortals is established upon the underlying law 
of this relation and each one's destiny is condi- 
tioned and outworked by his present conduct. 
May the time speedily come when humanity will 
discharge its duty in this respect, according to the 
divine principles of the spiritual nature and spir- 
itual universe, and, rejoicing in an innate or un- 
folded purity, make the marriage state the mirror 
of heaven's harmony and bliss, and, in company 
with the angels, gladly and wisely co-operating 
with them, promote the higher civilization on 
earth which is the preparation for the grand and 
perfect life hereafter. 



CHAPTER V. 

Roll on, O mighty universe, forever more, 
And sail like ships of light from shore to shore; 
Thy limpid seas bathe worlds on worlds unceasingly; 
Thy rhythm sings of heaven unendingly. 

One sun is but a taper in the night of space; 
From smile to smile we pass — where is thy face? 
One planetary system is a gleam of thee; 

Where is the end? Unroll thy mystery 

« 

Yet lead us, Father, till we lose all self in Thee 
O, lead us till we all shall perfect be. 
Still ever lead us till we shine with Thy pure light, 
God all in all, and all in glory bright. 

Mortals often wonder whether the four seasons 
which furnish a climatic cycle annually to the in- 
habitants of the planet earth, exist in the spirit 
world. Seasons of planetary conditions, of sun- 
shine and shade, alternate in all material and spir- 
itually corresponding worlds alike, but they differ 
in the latter from those of the former in that they 
are purely psychic effluxes — that is, the peculiar 
atmospheric condition that surrounds a spirit, or 

perhaps a spiritual sphere, responds and corresponds 

144 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 145 

invariably to the interior spiritual state of the indi- 
vidual soul or family of souls. In the spheres, ex- 
ternal and internal conditions harmonize, the soul 
being the center of the ratio of cause and effect, 
and making, not creating, shaping rather than pro- 
ducing all environments which encompass it. Thus, 
the spheres and the inhabitants of them, allow- 
ing somewhat for degrees of variation in each 
sphere and each spirit in the sphere, are harmo- 
niously blended, a unity in combination that out- 
flows from the soul forming the law and designing 
the ordination of all reflections of the soul. As 
in the earth plane all atmospheres follow and cor- 
respond to the perihelion and aphelion of the 
earth, the solar orb being the center and cause of 
all terrestrial conditions that blend into and with 
the hem and circumference of the sun's aura or 
photosphere, thus bringing about the variation in 
seasons and the stages of vegetable and organic life 
development, so, but in a yet more subtle and refin- 
ing manner and corresponding spiritually to this 
material condition, the soul emits a personal aura or 
photosphere, which affects corresponding ethers 
and produces among them the actual reflections 
of the soul's life and thought; and, as when look- 
ing in a mirror you see the image of whatever is 



146 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

reflected but first inflected, so environments mirror 
in celestial ethers only what the soul throws into 
or upon them. Thus the spirit world among the 
higher and exalted intelligences in the spiritual har- 
monial spheres, is called "Summerland," the 
fact being literally true that the soul and the 
sphere of the soul correspond in quality or state, 
Summer being the state of the soul or souls in any 
given sphere beyond the third degree that encircles 
the earth plane, the concomitant environment or 
land being the affected ethers and becoming the 
Snmmerland. Ethers are ductile and so pliant 
that they uniformly follow the soul's attractions 
and spheres, and these ethers themselves refined 
and refining by a process of law, ever are assimi- 
lated by souls in the manner we have described. 
The soul, by its own states, may center about it 
or attract the atmospheres of earth and live in 
these material ethers that reflect its thought im- 
ages and states, or, it may ascend into higher fixed 
spheres where one delightful, serene, uniform con- 
dition of summer prevails. These states and 
spheres are within the reach of all. And the bow- 
ers wherein grow the flowers, trees, and spread the 
fields, hills and streams, all aglow with the soul's 
reflected light, — they too belong to the sphere which 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 147 

the pure soul inhabits and, by a spiritual law, the 
counterpart of the material law, they furnish the 
conditions for the soul's interior harmonies and 
needs. We would have none think that the soul 
creates these environments — they are as eternal, 
in one sense, though but relative to the soul, as the 
soul itself, though but reflective of the soul's states 
and unfoldments — they belong to the spheres and 
degree of the spheres which the spirit inhabits, as 
might be said the present earth, its environments 
of land, water, air, and all that there is in them be- 
long to mortal man, but they are on a grander, 
more ethereal scale, yet tangible, fixed, real! And 
as the spirit unfolds, these glorious scenes come 
as visions of the reflected soul state, and you have 
but to aspire for and merit these Eden bowers, 
these real gardens of life, the soul being the central 
wand of power or the causal oasis, and at once 
the desert ether unfolds the beauteous rose of the 
soul's attractions. For the Infinite Intelligence has 
thus provided here in the planetary spiritual spheres 
as on the planet earth for the endless unfoldment of 
the spirit, by luring it, in the love sense, from gran- 
deur to grandeur until the apocalypse of the soul's 
apotheosis is attained, And the eternal pilgrim- 
age is through a Summerland graded in beauty, to 



148 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

be sure, ever growing more inviting, entrancing, 
joyous, ever appealing more perfectly and har- 
moniously to the soul's elevation and attractions, 
ever unfolding new splendors, as the soul becomes 
more divine, until the time arrives or the condi- 
tion is reached when the soul cares only for the 
Father and that which is His will, thus becoming 
fixed in all good and truth, where there is and can 
be no infringement of law or violence or a fall or 
descent from the deific and blessed state. Eden 
everywhere perfect within and without, the serpent 
of materiality, the tree of knowledge and the two- 
edged sword, the symbols of sensuous being, be- 
coming allegorical of the final conquest and victory. 
So that all worlds, and all souls in those worlds, 
according to this principle which we have eluci- 
dated, are analogous. Differently constituted and 
unfolded souls attract a corresponding condition 
of light and darkness, the interior flame being dull 
or bright, the emanations or auras thereof being 
also tinged or luminous, and these conditions pro- 
duce sorrow and unrest or peace and harmony. 
But these states are relative and only mark de- 
grees. There are souls so constituted, not having 
attained the degree of experience necessary to 
afford the spiritual luminosity, that were all the 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 149 

joy and beauty of their natural sphere revealed to 
them, they should still dwell in the conditions cf 
darkness and sorrow. In their undeveloped state 
they can find no pleasure in the purer elements of 
life, nor can they realize the enjoyment of those 
who, through spiritual culture, find joy in perform- 
ing the humblest and most exacting work and du- 
ties. In the spiritual world, when through travail 
and discipline the unfolded intuitions are awakened 
and the higher motives are quickened into activity, 
then the spirit by the effect of its superior surround- 
ings is led on to the realms of greater advance- 
ment. 

The seasons, then, in spirit world are ever in har- 
mony, as we have shown, with the soul's highest 
conception and realization of darkness and light, 
sorrow and joy. Scientifically and exactly speak- 
ing, there are no atmospheres of either extreme 
such as surround the earth and which are governed 
by physical, astronomical changes. 

The spirit-world as the abode of disembodied 
spirits is not far from the earth's atmosphere, yet 
at such a distance as to preclude the effect of earth's 
climatic changes, as experienced by mortals. Spir- 
its may dwell in the boundless ethers, yet attract 
to themselves opposite conditions — one may find 



150 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

only glory, another only sorrow, just as with mor- 
tals in the earth's atmosphere. 

The different atmospheric conditions, then, as 
understood by spirits, are the effect of conditions 
and causes existing in the soul. Exalted spirits 
find pleasure in the discharge of their duty under 
all circumstances, however undesirable their spheric 
surroundings may seem to them while toiling for 
higher ones, and the warmth generated by the 
magnetic forces of an active, spiritual nature en- 
velops them in an aura of genial sunshine. Those 
spirits who are disposed to remain in ignorance of 
these broader conceptions of duty and life and thus 
obscure their own nature by reacting the wrong 
or morbidly dwelling on the gloom of the past or 
some present magnified disappointment, draw 
around themselves or reflect a darkened condition, 
the discordant counterpart of their own thoughts, 
just as did Marguerite as a spirit during her earth- 
bound life. She experienced darkness and chilli- 
ness in all nature, and, as she came in contact 
with the various principles of life to which she did 
not conform, she felt a contrasting effect. 

The different celestial spheres that are compre- 
hended broadly by the phrase, spirit world, 
throughout all space and in all solar systems, are 



MARGUERITE HUNTER If 1 

constantly in motion, as is the earth, each one 
obeying the general law that governs the solar 
systems. Spirits experience all the magnetic and 
electric attractions that are imparted by and that 
surround each sphere, in the general order of univer- 
sal attraction or vibration, forming a law of grav- 
itation that sustains them and holds them to their 
sphere, and makes them a unit with material 
spheres on the planets, as mortals are held to their 
own plane by the same law; but as they become 
more spiritualized they are able to advance to other 
galaxies and planets, and, through understanding 
of cosmic law and their adaptability to finer ethers 
and elementary affinities, they can obtain a more 
thorough knowledge of the planetary systems and 
the life that thrives on each one of them. The 
science thus possessed through patient study and 
broader experience in the realms of universal scul- 
life and affinities, and the mental vision they re- 
ceive of the vastness of the universe, showing the 
unlimited resources of the Infinite Being, places 
them upon a higher plane for the solution of the 
great problem of life. 

The inhabitants of the spirit world, but only 
those who have advanced to the eleventh condi- 
tion in celestial life, can visit the different planets 



152 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

and float forth on magnetic seas or highways into 
the higher realms of refined elements. This p.ower 
can be attained only as they become learned in all 
the laws pertaining to each planet and their spheres. 
Through a knowledge of spiritual but natural laws 
spirits can gather facts concerning the planetary 
systems and their inhabitants. 

The surrounding celestial or ethereal belts that 
mark the divisions of the spheres in the spirit 
world are more refined as they relate to finer 
ethers and environ the spheres of the higher intelli- 
gences— that is, they grow more uniformly bright 
as they move in finer ethers and spirit auras, in 
short, as they recede from each planet. There are 
planets in the universe where, by the interblending 
and interpenetration of material and spiritual 
ethers, spirits mingle with the inhabitants on the 
physical plane as freely as with those of their own 
sphere, and where such inharmonies as are expe- 
rienced by mortals on the planet earth never exist. 
There, inter-communion with the spirit world is 
readily carried on, free from all the conflicting and 
discordant elements that produce unfavorable con- 
ditions for communication with spirits and mortals 
of the planet earth. 

Only those who have advanced to the eleventh 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 153 

condition in celestial life, as we have said, visit the 
different planets. These spirits, angelic in wisdom, 
seldom return to earth but they communicate 
through intermediary messengers. 

Centuries sometimes pass before the spirits di- 
vested of mortality and the crude, inherent states 
and ethers of earth life and environments, are able 
to advance to this high condition, during which 
time the friends whom they left on earth have 
entered spirit life, and passing through the different 
grades of progression, have either joined them in 
their special realm, or have grown to be within 
range of communication. 

The spirit spheres, with their exhilarating at- 
mospheres and their different degrees of magnetic 
and electric forces, move around their particular 
solar center in each galaxy, as the earth and the 
planets move around the center of their own solar 
attraction, and always in conjunction with them. 
As their atmosphere grows more refined, this ro- 
tation is more uniform and spirit life partly as a 
consequence becomes a season of perpetual sum- 
mer, a feature corresponding to soul states and 
auras. 

The planets throughout all solar systems are 
permeated by two great forces, the positive and 



154 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

the negative, which affect and embrace all the 
attractive and repellent modifications. 

Most of these planets are inhabited by intelli- 
gent beings having and obeying these two different 
and inherent qualities of life, each kingdom of nat- 
ure, and all contained therein, the mineral, veg- 
etable and animal creation, being affinitized in like 
manner. Life as embodied and expressed on the 
planet earth has corresponding creations; modified 
to suit local planetary conditions, the same is so on 
all planets and in all the solar systems. The planets 
farthest from their solar center experience, in a 
less degree, the various powerful perturbations that 
produce in the life-forms disease, vice and sorrow, 
which uniformly multiply in and fasten to the worlds 
in closer proximity to their magnetic or solar 
centers. All such by their proximity naturally at- 
tract the grosser and less refined elements. These 
innumerable worlds, many having the finer forms 
of vegetable, animal and spirit life, are peopled 
with souls who ever follow the inspirations of the 
angels, until yet higher spiritual conditions are 
reached. These worlds possess wonderful unfold- 
ments of life, too glorious in their significance and 
evolution for the comprehension of even those 
who, in the spirit world, are far in advance of the 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 155 

wisest on earth; and yet these heights of spiritual 
unfoldments can be attained by all souls by grad- 
ual, patient, faithful effort. 

Throughout all time do great and fruitful 
changes incessantly proceed out of all life, every- 
where elevating the thought of the spirit, enno- 
bling the character, and giving a fullness of spiritual 
enjoyment, unknown to any who have not expe- 
rienced it through these evolutionary transforma- 
tions. Herein consists the happiness of heaven* 

In spirit life night is unknown, except as spirits 
attract to and about them dark conditions, as the 
counterpart of spiritual states, through vacillating 
and impure thoughts. These conditions, as those 
who reflect them, grow refined through intellectual 
and spiritual unfoldment. The soul becoming lu~ 
miniferous, the darkness which it reflected and the 
conditions which it attracted become changed and 
the aura and ethers partake of the light of the soul. 

To the inhabitants of the spiritual world, sub- 
stance is not an obstacle in the way of progress or 
unfoldments. Spirit can penetrate, permeate and 
mould it as ethers to the power and purpose of 
thought and life. 

Rest is found, as in earth life, in quiet and repose 
at needful and given periods. 



156 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

The various languages used by mortals, as we 
have elsewhere stated, continue in a measure, as 
the medium for thought transference by spirits in 
spirit life. The members of different nations give 
expression to their ideas through the vernacular 
used by them when in the form, but in a symbol- 
ical way not appreciated nor understood by mor- 
tals, until they grow into a far more spiritual 
atmosphere and condition, where soul thought, 
divested of the crudities of material symbolism, 
the highest mode of thought expression, is the only 
language employed. 

There is an established method, akin to mun- 
dane international law, but freer and more nat- 
ural, an interchange established on spiritual prin- 
ciples, by which representative souls from the 
various spheres of the planets meet in a parliament 
of universal brotherhood for grand spiritual 
achievements, to compare, discuss, and learn of the 
laws and systems of government which exist 
throughout the cosmic spirit spheres. This con- 
gress grows out of the necessity for providing means 
of growth in and understanding of the unity and 
operations of uniform universal law, and which aid 
all, especially pioneer spirits, in their onward 
march. For here it is learned by practical dem- 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 157 

onstrations that one universal law of progress ob- 
tains among all planetary spheres. 

Mortals have personal peculiarities that cannot 
be overcome or utilized spiritually immediately 
upon entering spirit life, but by means of existing 
laws everywhere uniform in degree and quality to 
which they learn to conform, they gradually gain 
a victory over all obstacles. 

Earth languages are unified, idealized and per- 
fected by spirit agency by the potent but subtle 
inspirations of thought from the higher spheres of 
intelligences — a work of love that will eventually 
effect a universal language or system of communi- 
cation, one of the greatest boons to both worlds in 
the further progress and civilization of the human 
races, 

Mortals imagine that the spirit world is located 
far away from earth, that it is in some remote place, 
because astronomical science has not been able 
to peer into its depths or expose it to view through 
physical or telescopic agencies. This is a false 
idea, The spirit world is not far away, but enfolds 
the earth and moves in the same orbit through 
space as does the earth, attracting to and convey- 
ing with it its own peculiar elements and atmos- 
phere. And so with all the spiritual kingdoms en- 



158 ARGUER1TE HUNTER 

folding the different planets throughout the 
universe. Earth and the spiritual world move in 
conjunction with each other, and through the same 
general course, yet each keeps within its own lim- 
ited radius and circle. This grand spirit kingdom, 
objectively speaking, is a combination of elements 
peculiar in their adaptability to their inhabit- 
ants, as we have shown, and far superior in their 
intrinsic, refined character to earth. These king- 
doms revolve with their own planet to which they 
affine, the spiritual spheres in each case having a 
beauty, harmony and light corresponding to the 
unfolded genius, spirituality and purity of its in- 
habitants. Throughout this spiritual zone that 
environs each planet, there are found all the vari- 
ous appliances needed for the comfort and effect- 
iveness of the life of the spirit, Not only are there 
rivers, lakes, landscapes, cascades, mountains, 
ravines and valleys, flowers, fruit trees, animals and 
birds, all of surpassing beauty, but there are places 
fitted up with special care for study, recreation and 
enjoyment, known among mortals as art museums, 
parks, gardens, music halls, theaters, cathedrals, 
and all are used for the higher spiritual purpose of 
unfoldment or education. The beautiful and the 
true of soul, throughout the spheres, find here ade- 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 159 

quate expression in all lines of thought. Nature 
puts on her garment of refinement and leads with 
gentle hand the earnest spirit, seeking higher at- 
tainments, through her various avenues. 

A telepathetic system of the most perfect char- 
acter exists throughout the spirit world. Its bat- 
teries are located in the mind of each intelligence 
communicating, and thought is transmitted and 
answered correctly and as rapidly and freely as 
mortals can transfer themselves in thought to any 
distant part of the earth. It is free to all who 
have acquired the proper strength, science and 
quality of intellectual force to use it. 

The spirit world is the world of cause; all the 
important inventions of earth have their origin 
here. 

There are no monopolies in this land of love and 
light; all souls and work are co-operative, The 
only real plutocrats are those who have acquired 
a wealth of manhood and womanhood through 
virtuous efforts. Those who come into this land 
of equal rights, loaded with the ill-gotten gain of 
earth, are poor indeed. Like miserable paupers, 
they wander around in the desolate waste of the 
lowest sphere, and may not, for centuries, ascend 
to the higher. Verily, "it is easier for a camel to 



160 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man 
to enter into the kingdom of God." Riches, when 
generously and thoughtfully used, are a great bless- 
ing to mankind; but the acquisition of great wealth 
by the few, to the detriment of the masses, is the 
prolific cause of most of the poverty and wicked- 
ness on earth. Spirits understand this, and are 
seeking to bring about a better condition of things 
by opening up and quickening the springs of fra- 
ternal love. Those who would be perfect in the 
spiritual sense, must give of their abundance to 
the poor, and must give wisely and from an un- 
selfish motive. Idleness and prodigality must not 
be encouraged, but the opportunity for existence 
must be given to all equally. All should be free 
to acquire the necessaries and comforts of life, that 
they may the more surely lay up treasure in 
heaven. This is the voice of the angel world to 
mortals. Everywhere in spirit life exists, but only 
in a degree in the lower spheres, a spirit of equal- 
ity and harmony. It is a democracy based on 
natural and acquired equal rights. The highest 
wisdom rules. The soul that sees and hears and 
speaks, makes character transparent and gives a 
lucidity and unity to the expression of thought. 
Deception and hypocrisy are written in the atmos- 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 161 

phere of each one who practices them, and evil 
imprints its negative on the aura that environs 
and emanates from the spirit. 

Spirits not only understand the chemical nature 
of the earth's substance, the astronomical effect 
of one planet on another and on each soul, but 
they can fathom and unveil the more intricate 
character of the relations of trivial things, penetrate 
the law of greater things, broadly discerning the 
principle of cause and effect among all entities, both 
physical and mental- This is an eternal quality of 
spirit, but must be unfolded. The most minute 
particle of every element and essence, material 
and spiritual, has its proper place and purpose in 
the divine economy, and is an essential ingredi- 
ent in every progressive movement, preposterous 
as this may seem, and a factor in the government of 
the universe. From the humblest and most ob- 
scure, as well as from the most prominent and 
universal entity, may be derived lessons of wisdom. 
Spirits avail themselves of and profit by their 
knowledge of the many diversified modes of the 
principles of psychic and life unfoldments. They 
take into account all the conflicting influences in 
life, and by a knowledge acquired of the purpose 
of these inharmonies, they thus, by applying that 



162 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

knowledge to the life, rapidly develop character 
rounded out in all harmonious activities. 

In the elementary conditions the spirit, after 
entering spirit life, does not visit nor communicate 
with distant planets* It is not until the eleventh 
condition of advancement on any planet has been 
reached that any spirit can pass beyond the con- 
fines of its own planetary atmosphere and mingle 
with those who inhabit the spiritual realm of an- 
other planet. The farther the distance from the 
central or solar orb, as the spiritual spheres recede 
inwardly from the positive effects of the photo- 
sphere of that particular sun and escape from its 
material luminiferous power, the more the invo- 
luted soul unfolds its veils by expression and shines 
by a light all its own, — and we here speak of the 
spiritual spheres in contrast to like spheres among 
mortals on the planets,— like Ezekiel's wheel, the 
more delicate becomes the interior states and the 
more spiritual and refined the soul, acquiring by 
such etherealization of the spirit form and spirit- 
ualization of the soul, the ability to make these 
wonderful journeys through the celestial spheres 
of all planetary worlds. 

Spheres are uniformly one among all planets, 
we do not mean in parallel circles, but in degrees, 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 163 

conditions and qualities; numbers one, two, three 
and so on, of the planet earth, uniformly blending 
and corresponding to like degrees and spheres of all 
the planetary bodies. For God is one, soul is one, 
essence and principles are one, law, process, modes, 
spheres are correspondingly one in this order of 
ratios throughout all solar and planetary systems. 
Thus science and religion as modes of expression of 
the Divine Will are one in all souls. Now, as spirits 
advance, the various scenes in these zones or belts 
that circle the spheres become more celestial, the 
ethers more refined and congenial. All life in the 
ascendant scale of harmony has a deeper and finer 
adaptability to the Divine Will. It inbreathes and 
outbreathes a diviner and more musical expression. 
This appeals so forcibly to the imagination and is 
so vague to the average mentality that the prin- 
ciple is not easily grasped or elucidated. The to- 
tal environments blend with the thought life of 
the soul. Throughout the spheres all life comes 
under the general influence and order of the Great- 
est Teacher and a gradually unfolding rhythm of 
expression outworks into the divine oneness. As 
souls advance they find a subtle essence, uniform 
in all life, and they discern a grand purpose which 
hitherto they had overlooked or denied or which 



1G4 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

had been veiled from them. Design ramifies and 
pulsates among the life essences and in the soul, 
and outworks a beautiful outline and order among 
all ethers. The law of progress unfolds more 
grandly and apparently to their view as they rise 
in the heavenly ascent, the potency of an all-per- 
vading attraction and harmony grows more irre- 
sistible and commanding and as they proceed on- 
ward through the finer ethers and the most lumi- 
nous spheres, the interior glory assumes a magni- 
tude and splendor truly God-like, and they feel 
and float into thought currents that irresistibly 
draw them to the one Infinite Divine Principle of 
all life which we call God. 

When spirits refer to their spheres in spirit- 
world, it is not that they wish to convey the im- 
pression that they are in form like the earth, a 
globe. Yet spirit-land is as substantial to those 
who live in it as is the earth to its inhabitants. 
The proportions and adaptations which are spirit- 
ual counterparts of the earth are the same, and, 
as far as surrounding stellar immensity and conti- 
nental outline are concerned. But spheres must 
be given a spiritual reading or definition. The 
spirit-world is bounded on all sides by aerial seas 
that have the appearance of immense bodies of 
water, and all above is sky. 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 165 

The planets which appear to mortals as stars, 
are larger and more brilliant to those inhabiting 
spirit-life, because of their spiritual discernment, 
and their quickened intellectual perceptions, awak- 
ened and developed through the freedom of spirit 
and the power of penetration. These aerial wa- 
ters, formed from rivulets as on the continents of 
earth, flow onward like a broad belt, with cease- 
less rhythm through space, on to the different 
planets, ever mingling with other planetary seas, 
and on to infinity. Over their rippling, sparkling 
vibrations spirits are conveyed through their 
spheres and the different atmospheric conditions of 
all spheres and planets. Will is the motor power. 

The natural and highest impulse of mortals is to 
unfold the spiritual part, but such impulse is most 
often undermined, subverted or abused by habits 
formed in infancy and adolescence, and through 
various agencies growing out of environment. The 
inner impulse is ever good, but the outer influence 
very often predominates and masters. By the ele- 
mentary surroundings the outer material form is 
moulded, and so to material conditions the spirit 
adapts itself in the conduct of its expression until 
a time of change and victory comes. Yet with 
man, after physical maturity has been reached, the 



166 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

physical being can be rounded out into symmetrical 
beauty by the application of beneficent experiences 
and principles to the uses and practices of life, as 
is done on another plane in the spirit world, but 
by a similar will force. Those who have lived a 
life of degradation, who have been false to the 
principles of spiritual harmony, must remain in 
like inharmonious environments, until they awaken 
to or cultivate the purer impulses of the soul. 
Once fully awakened to the higher principles of 
life, there can be no more faltering or receding. 
Slowly the soul becomes established; step by 
step it ascends perfect evolution and spirituality. 
The ethereal surroundings in spirit-life tend to up- 
lift and impel the spirit to higher conditions of 
good and light. Environments with soul states 
interact. Mortals who can be made, through some 
kind nature or favorable circumstance, to see or 
walk in the true way, while still of earth, and be 
led to act in true accord with their highest con- 
science, can, in a great measure, redeem the past 
and thus, upon entering spirit-life, they can advance 
more rapidly than could they have done had they 
remained in their low condition and entered spirit- 
life with a character marred or tinged with the 
baser and baleful influences of earth-life environ- 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 167 

ments. All life is at heart good, is a true inspira- 
tion of the Divine, and must sometime claim its 
own. Though ages may pass, each soul retains 
the germ that will eventually lead it to some har- 
monious sphere. Good will win the soul, because 
Divine Love is its essence. As the law of gravity 
tends to bring material objects to the center of at- 
traction, the inspirations of the Almighty per- 
sistently and inevitably draw every life to the 
bosom of infinite love. 

In spirit-life, as in the earth-world, there are 
locations whose spiritual atmosphere is so dense 
that the light cannot permeate it. It shines all 
around from angelic intelligences, seeking admit- 
tance, but the light inflows only when the evolu- 
tionary forces within the soul that creates the dark- 
ness prepares the way for it. These atmospheric 
conditions intervene between the earth atmosphere 
and the spiritual and form a veritable sheol. In- 
spiration as breathed forth by the higher intelli- 
gences carries with it an aura of light that ever 
surrounds these spirits, whose light dispels dark- 
ness. Gross natures emit an aura of darkness that 
repels the light. The aura of light glows from 
within the soul and belongs to the soul and serves 
to lead all spints treed from the body into tne at- 



168 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

rnosphere of the higher spiritual spheres, while 
those who enter the spirit world or who already 
inhabit it and who are surrounded by darkness 
remain in the intervening space between the earth 
and the spheres of graduated light. Thus it is that 
the two extremes of character, with the infinite 
states between them, exist in spirit-life. 

In spirit-life the different localities and spheres 
are given names unlike those of the earth sphere, 
each having a meaning that indicates or symbolizes 
the grade or the nature and advancement of those 
occupying them. Spirits, also, assume spiritual 
names that represent the nature and ambition of 
their thought and aim; no two possess precisely 
the same qualities, though a similarity may exist, 
differing as human faces differ, and therefore they 
assume special titles or emblems to indicate special 
traits of character, and a purpose and scope rad- 
ically or slightly diverse. 

The important events that occur in earth life 
are never obliterated from the memory, veiled 
they may be, but never eradicated. They have 
legitimate and ineffaceable effects, and hence they 
exercise an important power on the character and 
life. The spirit, divested of mortality, more clearly 
perceives and deeply realizes the influence of 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 169 

former mental and moral activity in moulding char- 
acter and shaping the soul's destiny. The action 
of the will in dealing with and determining the 
various events of earth-life of whatever nature, is 
in spirit life more fully understood in all its bearing 
on the future happiness and environment of the 
spirit. If its decisions have been just and generous, 
they brighten and intensify its state and enjoyment, 
and, if selfish and narrow, they retard the spirit's 
progress, but the gain, in either event, is the prog- 
ress that can be achieved by overcoming evil by 
good. 

Freedom to mingle in each other's society de- 
pends in the spiritual spheres upon harmonious 
natures, in the interblending of soul auras. The 
good can ever go to the degraded, but the degraded 
cannot soar as such to spheres of light. Progressive 
spirits, while aspiring to greater achievements and 
grander destiny, find enjoyment in outworking the 
plan or the aim of life as it regularly presents it- 
self, conceding to others who are less favored the 
divine right to command all the facilities necessary 
for their highest development. This may, to mortals, 
seem strange or as gotten at the cost or the hu- 
miliation of personal pride, the sacrifice of private 
opinion, or selfish ambition, but to spirits who 



170 . MARGUERITE HUNTER 

have conquered self and thus gained the real or 
first victory, conquest ever after becomes easy 
along any and all lines. Thus they triumphantly 
plant their banner of love on the successive battle- 
fields of the slain by the power of love. To be 
progressive implies broad charity and a love un- 
foldment that exalts and purifies the soul. The 
divine law of progress ever inspires the spirit to 
adoration of the Divine. This disinterested be- 
nevolence, this appreciation of the undeveloped 
good and the veiled divinity in others, this willing 
sacrifice of self for the true apotheosis, brings an 
elevating influence to spirits who, ministering to 
the spiritual needs of those whose higher nature 
is debased by self find, contentment and promo- 
tion in all good works. These same principles of 
advancement, so universal throughout the spirit 
world, apply with equal force to the development 
of the soul's higher capacity while yet on earth. 
To aid mortals through such avenues as exist to 
comprehend them in their fullness, and early ap- 
ply them to the life, is the ennobling mission of 
exalted spirits who preach the gospel of progress to 
both worlds. 



CHAPTER VI. 

All life, all soul, obey a central power, 

One wisdom guides the universe; 
Pure love sustains the circling laws each hour, 

There never was a primal curse! 

The soul has gateways leading to the skies, 

Through which all inspirations flow, 
And ever in those mystic skies there lies 

The remedy for every woe. 

All life must realize the dark and light, 
Must bud and bloom in space and time, 

Push ever upward through the deepest night, 
And dower heaven with fruit divine, 

When, lo! the soul shall recognize its own, 

And live within the perfect spheres, 
Shall dwell in peace in an eternal home, 

Where God shall wipe away all tears. 

In the early part of the narrative mention was 
made of the earth-bound condition of Marguerite. 
Some spirits remain earth-bound for a number of 
years, for causes similar to those that influenced 
her. They may or may not seek to gain various 

171 



172 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

experiences which they failed to receive while in 
earth-life, though ordinarily they profit even in 
this condition and in this respect, but some return 
for this very purpose or rather remain in the earth's 
atmosphere solely because of the necessity of gain- 
ing such experiences. 

In accordance with spiritual law, founded in the 
beneficence of nature, spirits who have, through 
some imperfection of the physical organism or 
other causes, been denied the unfoldment that 
earth-life was designed to give, or who in their 
life development, owing to mental and organic im- 
perfections, have not been able to treasure up 
their earth-experiences sufficiently to utilize them 
in attaining the higher lessons of spirit-life, return 
and seek an embodied soul with whom they can 
sympathize and harmonize, one capable of assist- 
ing them in unfolding their dormant energies, and 
should the one selected meanwhile become a dis- 
embodied spirit, they attach themselves to an- 
other of similar organism and character, and so 
on, following each through his or her earth-life, 
until they have gained the necessary knowledge for 
which they sought such soul companionship. 
Some of these spirits are so dull of comprehension, 
so gradual in their spiritual growth, that it requires 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 173 

a long time for them to reach a condition where 
they are able to take up and understand the higher 
lessons and laws of spirit-life. Sometimes spirits 
are for many years, even for generations and often 
centuries, bound to earth through imperfections 
of various kinds, but, in time, all such are and 
will be led by sympathizing teachers into the light 
of love and a higher understanding of their own 
being. 

To be earth-bound is not the normal condition 
of spirits whose earth-life has been one of sym- 
metrical development. With Marguerite a grand 
aim was outwrought by it. In her case it was 
both a choice and necessity. Spirits of fine mould 
and broad culture often return to earth to better 
the conditions of others, but while engaged in this 
missionary work, by an inevitable law of life, they 
are, also, themselves benefited. They who give, 
likewise receive. The disuse of an organ or facul- 
ty enfeebles its power. The refusal to exercise a 
gift invites its temporary forfeiture. For "he that 
hath, to him shall be given, and he that hath not, 
from him shall be taken even that which he hath," 
is true when spiritually interpreted. 

The spirit is not perfect on entering spirit-life, 
nor does it, in any case, have the infallibility 



174 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

usually attributed to it, by the uninformed, sim- 
ply because it has been released from its mortal 
habitation. The knowledge of an intelligent, pure- 
minded man or woman is superior in spirit-life to 
that of one of the same culture in mortal life, for 
the reason that, being on a higher plane and free 
from the limitations of mortality, the spirit can 
more accurately discern causes, and, hence, with 
greater certainty can perceive future results and 
thus qualify their life thereby; but some law, at 
the time unknown to the spirit, may intervene, 
and lead the soul into grander and still more be- 
neficent achievements. "Whether there be prophe- 
cies, they shall fail," is true of all utterances that 
are not based on spiritual science. Spirits, es- 
pecially those on the lower planes, are limited in 
their knowledge of causes and the operations of 
divine law, and some know considerably less than 
the highly intelligent people on earth. But this is 
due to the fact that they knew less when in the 
mortal form. By what law of nature, let it be 
asked, could they, through the mere act of their 
transition, suddenly become possessed of superior 
knowledge? There are no miracles in the universe, 
nor its spirit worlds, nothing supernatural; all 
things are natural and obey divine laws. To hold 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 175 

and keep an undeveloped spirit earth-bound as a 
means of preparation for a higher condition, is one 
of nature's inevitable yet beneficent laws. Spirits, 
however, are not thus held and drawn to earth to 
act as fortune tellers to mortals through media. 
The realities of spirit-life, so far as its sphere and 
relative spheres are concerned, may be accurately 
communicated by any spirit, as these are facts of 
which it can take immediate cognizance. When 
there is any discrepancy between the statements 
of spirits of different or even the same spheres, it 
is easily accounted for on the ground that they 
communicate from different points of observation. 
Two correspondents writing from the United States 
to London, one from Chicago, the other from San 
Francisco, might each write quite different but 
equally truthful accounts of a great Fair, giving 
the correct topography of the country and describ- 
ing the climate of the city 'in w T hich the Fair was 
located. Each flavors the letter with the spirit 
and character of his personality. There is great 
variety of points of observation in the spirit-world. 
Highly advanced intelligences who comprehend a 
wide range of causes, may, and often do, predict 
with certainty the future, for years, even centuries 
in advance. From these come the high inspira- 



1?6 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

tions which proceed originally from the source of 
all knowledge, through the graduated medial ave- 
nues. These are the higher ministering spirits to 
mortals. Only the Infinite One is infallible, but 
truth may be perceived absolutely by all. 

Little children, who pass out of the material 
form with a limited amount of earth's experience 
are generally attracted to the parental home, and 
through their mingling with the other members of 
the family as time advances, they secure the nec- 
essary unfoldment, the spiritual growth along the 
line of that expression that would have been theirs 
had they remained in the mortal form. To some, 
it may seem unnatural for little children and those 
yet in the bloom of youth, to be summoned from 
the mortal state, but, if such will remember that 
"heaven," as they conceive of it, is not far removed 
from earth, and that the higher spirit birth is as 
natural as the birth into the earth-life, they will 
readily understand that death is but the awaken- 
ing into real life; and thus they may be able to 
comprehend the early summons, and know that it 
is brought about directly by the angel of love, 
whatever may have severed the vital cord and re- 
leased the spirit; for let it be known by pseudo 
science and religion that death is the issue of life 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 177 

in the interest of humanity, by wisdom inscrutable. 
What is more beautiful to behold than little chil- 
dren in heaven? These heart treasures, born into 
the higher life are yet in the innocency of child- 
hood. True, they must gather their quota of the 
experiences of earth-life, but they are ever under 
wise guidance, and unfold in accordance with 
spiritual law. In purity of spirit, freed from con- 
tact with the false standards and grosser elements 
of earth, they, in that degree of freedom, are able 
to see and walk in the true and the better way. 
And who can measure the good these little ones 
unconsciously bring to those with whom they in- 
visibly associate on earth? As little children make 
the spirit-world a paradise, so they bring comfort 
and joy to mortals. As they are indispensable to 
the happiness of mortals on earth, so heaven would 
not be perfect without them. All the different ex- 
pressions of life found on earth and known to mor- 
tals, are essential to the spiritual spheres; the law 
of God in material and spiritual spheres compre- 
hends equal justice to the soul in all of its expres- 
sions. 

The entire universe is filled w r ith life. Nothing 
is lost. Matter is moulded by the incarnated spirit 
and changes form as the soul unfolds itself. There 



178 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

is continual unfoldment throughout time and eter- 
nity. When any avenue for expression is closed, 
another source for development is opened; when 
death cuts down the young or advanced life the 
spirit seeks unfoldment in the eternal spheres. To 
understand different problems of the soul's life 
and destiny necessitates a variety of experiences. 
We can but hint at the facts or law here. 

Those cumbered with mortality find it difficult 
to discern the interior spirit. They only compre- 
hend the thought as it is embodied in material sub- 
stance or as it is reflected as an image in the 
subtle essence of consciousness. The universe is 
pervaded with soul. Mortals ordinarily do not take 
cognizance of it; earth-bound spirits do not. It 
requires finely developed spiritual perceptions to 
comprehend the soul of things. This condition lies 
at the basis of the law holding undeveloped spirits 
to the earth for further discipline. 

There are etherealized substances, infinite in 
number and variety, throughout the universe, 
and forming an essential part of it, of whose 
existence mortals are entirely ignorant, because 
of their veiled perception. They comprehend 
them only as they are revealed through immut- 
able laws in external manifestation. For example, 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 179 

there are colors invisible and sounds inaudible 
to mortal mind above and below the scale 
which scientists, by means of most delicately con- 
structed instruments, have shown to exist. They are 
known, also, by their effects, yet they do not ap- 
peal to the senses, though clairvoyant eyes and 
clairaudient ears sense them. They become actual 
only to those capable of discerning them. An idea 
is a concept of the image of a thought fashioned 
by the spirit in the mind, whether sensate or spir- 
itual. It inheres in the spirit which gives to it, 
through the different faculties, ideal expression in 
created forms. Ideas, though purely of spiritual 
origin and intangible, are fully realized and ex- 
pressed when they become factors in human con- 
duct, when they are incorporated in the inventions, 
conduct and laws of mankind, imparting an in- 
fluence for good or evil in shaping the destiny of 
men and nations. It is true that there are some 
things in nature, notably spiritual realities, so ex- 
ceedingly fine and ethereal in essence that they 
can be comprehended, and to immature minds 
known, only as they are embodied in or developed 
through the forms of matter. 

A spirit whose power of perception or whose 
spiritual sense w T as not sufficiently unfolded in 



180 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

the mortal form to prepare it for the higher 
studies of life, its facts and principles, needs 
on an entrance to spirit life to remain in the 
earth's atmosphere, and so is firmly held there 
by the law of its own attraction, until it ob- 
tains the necessary development and discipline 
which earth experiences alone can give. For only 
through such unfoldment can it obtain the incip- 
ient spiritual perception and knowledge which 
are fundamental to higher unfoldment in the spir- 
itual realms. It is for this reason that a desire to 
live on earth as long as possible has been so deeply 
implanted in the human heart, even when there 
is absolute knowledge of the more glorious ex- 
pressions of life that come through transition. 
Soul, or spirit, having the attributes of the Infinite, 
is possessed of a wondrous amount of resources 
and a variety of power that eternity cannot ex- 
haust. Few mortals attain a full knowledge of the 
disciplinary character of their sphere while on the 
earth side of life. Often nature's laws are violated 
before any high degree of mental and spiritual de- 
velopment is attained. Meanwhile the spirit, 
through the disintegration of the mortal elements, 
takes its flight. After a period of waiting, having 
learned the principles of life, it returns to the earth. 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 131 

and through attractions gathers a knowledge 
that might have been earlier learned. All spirits do 
not return at once or immediately after leaving the 
form to earth's inhabitants. The inhabitants of the 
spiritual spheres so outnumber those of the mor- 
tal plane that many must wait a suitable opportu- 
nity until they can find expression in harmonious 
adaptations, through which they can return and 
successfully fulfill this part of their destiny. There 
are numberless grades of spirituality and spheres'* 
of progress, but spirits must first attain a full 
knowledge and experience of their own given 
sphere, be it ever so rudimental, before they can 
pass to and through the higher, and ascend in 
spiritual life and knowledge. 

Throughout the universe there is the material 
and the spiritual expression in all things, even in 
the vegetable and mineral kingdoms. By cultivat- 
ing the spiritual or the essential part, one may be- 
come exalted and spiritually individualized, even 
while inhabiting the material form, thus obtaining 
an intuitive or acquired insight into spiritual sci- 
ence, unknown to the purely materialistic thinker. 

* The word sphere is used in this narrative to designate location, 
but it implies mental and spiritual condition, and these may exist 
in any locality; it is not infrequently used by some writers ex- 
pressly to indicate these physical conditions. 



182 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

In every degree or grade of advancement in hu- 
man life, both in the material and spiritual world, 
the principles or laws, though manifold in their 
office and application, are the same, being ex- 
pressed with more or less intensity and variety ac- 
cording to individual spiritual development; the 
environment, as the soul progresses from each 
grade of evolution, having served its purpose, is 
outgrown and is lost in the sweep of time; but 
the experiences gained, the character formed, in- 
heres in the soul, giving it a higher spiritual capac- 
ity and endowment. Life in the spheres contin- 
ues to unfold and bear fruit in accordance with the 
same law that defines and governs its existence in 
the mortal form. Nature as law and purpose is man- 
ifest in the spiritual spheres just as really as in the 
material world, and while the changes are greater, 
the vision is clearer, and all principles are under- 
stood on a more harmonious scale, yet the soul 
never escapes its God. For this reason it is not 
possible for those imbued with a selfish, degraded 
nature to continue long in that condition. Those 
who, when in the earth-form, were engaged in 
some special line of labor that deeply absorbed 
them, realize that, while they retain on the spirit 
side of life a certain interest therein, yet they can- 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 183 

not long have a voice or take part in material mat- 
ters, though they still delight to mingle with earth 
friends and in earth scenes of interest. For a time 
in such intermingling they are as sanguine as of 
old, expressing pleasure or disappointment, as if 
they really inhabited the form, and were active 
participants; nor can they be persuaded or forced 
to abandon their course, until through an evolu- 
tionary work, they are impelled to change their 
minds. 

Sometimes these excarnate spirits exercise their 
persuasive power for good, sometimes for evil, 
owing to their degree of development. It is not 
generally known and yet it is true that individuals 
are often influenced to do some good act, contrary 
to their natural inclinations, and when, after re- 
flecting, they seem to have excelled themselves in 
meritorious conduct, they attribute it to a sudden 
outburst of a latent, generous impulse, though in 
reality they acted on the suggestion of some good 
disembodied spirit. On the other hand, some per- 
sons of highly sensitive, receptive minds, but of 
weak will power, otherwise of good character, fre- 
quently find themselves doing what their moral 
sense condemns as wrong, and these act on the 
suggestion of some impure earth-bound spirits who 



184 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

find pleasure only in earth-experiences, and a cer- 
tain kind of delight in the misdemeanor of mortals. 

This law holds good also in the lower spiritual 
spheres, especially with religious natures that were 
strongly creed-bound on earth. Some of the more 
unprogressive minds retain their false religious 
views for years after entering spirit-life. The 
different creeds on earth have their representa- 
tives and illustrations in spirit-life among spirits, 
who sometimes communicate their old beliefs to 
mortals, announcing them as truth, and only after 
high spiritual development learning that "the let- 
ter killeth but the spirit giveth life." In time, 
each soul finds the good there is in the other's creed. 
All, indeed, learn in time to abandon the false which 
they ignorantly but often honestly advocated, and 
as they advance into the divine light they learn 
to love only the truth and to build upon the broad 
and eternal foundation — the thought of the Infi- 
nite Love. 

When an undeveloped, earth-bound spirit exer- 
cises a dominant influence over one of perverse 
mind, one "who is drawn away of his own lust 
and enticed," such influence is, indeed, baneful in 
a high degree; but it does not relieve the tempted 
one from responsibility. Evil must be resisted 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 185 

only by overcoming it with good. The true and 
the false are ever presenting themselves to the de- 
veloping mind for acceptance; man must exercise 
the will and give the soul its imperious power. 
Aided by the higher inspirations of truth, his vic- 
tory is not uncertain, but assured and permanent. 
As in earth so in spirit life, there are different 
organizations and societies for the diffusion of 
knowledge. Comparatively few become administer- 
ing spirits to mortals, and not until they have 
reached a degree of mental culture and spirituality 
that fit them for the work of instructors in their 
own sphere. These spirits are not always attracted 
in their guidance to their own relatives and friends, 
but often to individuals whom they did not know 
in the form. There are laws of attraction in the 
spirit-life that affine souls and that extend beyond 
the circle of immediate friends, yet are closely cor- 
related to those that relate to communion with 
kindred and friends, and ties of consanguinity. 
Such higher spiritual ties, foreign as they may 
seem to those of a family, for instance, are some- 
times the only available means through which spir- 
its may reach their relatives and those dear to 
them on earth. The attraction leads to an affinity 
which forms a oneness of soul where the characters 



18tf MARGUERITE HUNTER 

blend in harmony as do certain elements iil nature. 
Thus they find their own through others whom 
they can the more easily approach. There is a re- 
sponsive and correlative soul for each and all ab- 
solutely; they realize their adaptability as they 
grow into spiritual harmony, sometimes on earth, 
more commonly, in spirit life, as they then more 
fully understand the law of unity that attracts its 
own in guardianship and love. 

This law of spiritual attraction is and must be 
at the basis cf all true social reform. 

Marriage in spirit-life is a duality of soul, and is 
a profound and sacred blending of mutual reason, 
understanding and affection. The two as one are 
harmoniously united. True soul companions may 
differ in genius, but naturally they are beautiful and 
essential contrasts, not duplicates. One offsets 
and supplements the other at a center of equilib- 
rium, making a contrast of two parts that form 
the whole. True union is always spiritual and in- 
tellectual, never carnal. Marriage, as entered into 
upon the material plane, is unknown in spirit-life. 
"In spirit-life they neither marry nor are given in 
marriage, but are as the angels in heaven." Love 
is the law essential to soul and is the source of 
promotion throughout the universe. It is potent 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 187 

in each atom and element, Yet it is misunderstood 
and but faintly put into practice by mortals. Soul- 
union is of the good, true, noble and divine, and 
never fails ultimately to effect a heavenly peace. 

In the spiritual kingdom there are institutions 
for the diffusion of light as imparted through 
lessons and communications from the intelli- 
gences of the higher spheres. At their suggestion 
and under their guidance, spirits of harmony unite 
and form bands to visit special localities in earth- 
life and perfect good results, Throughout the differ- 
ent spheres, inspiration or knowledge is imparted 
through the avenue or law of magnetic and electric 
currents. Through this same law, highly intellec- 
tual spirits become guides; they do not always re- 
turn to earth's elements in spirit, but through the 
transmission of thought by intervening messen- 
gers, they become guides to those known as medi- 
ums, both on the material and spirit-side of life. 
Through this great law of spiritual science, the 
two worlds harmoniously interblend in the acquisi- 
tion and diffusion of knowledge. 

There are various laws and conditions governing 
spirit communication with mortals. It is natural 
for those who have just passed beyond the veil of 
mortality to desire to return to the old conditions 



188 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

and friends, even when realizing the beauty and 
pleasure of their surroundings. In the newness 
of life they experience an awakening interest 
in those left behind, and a desire to impart to 
them a knowledge of their condition and joy. 
There is a continual yearning, until through 
some kind, administering spirit, they are led back 
to the scenes of earth. Not all spirits understand 
the transmission of thought. Only those who have 
reached a high degree of spiritual expansion and 
receptivity are competent to act as administering 
guides. They have entirely overcome earth's ele- 
ments, and are ordained by virtue of their qualifi- 
cations to hold such office. The administering 
spirits act as intermediates and carry communica- 
tions from sphere to sphere until they reach their 
destination on earth, where the messages are 
transmitted through kindly efforts of guiding spirit 
influence. It is not possible for all spirits to re- 
turn to earth and communicate individually. In 
such cases, when there is a desire of inter-com- 
munion on the part of mortals, some messenger of 
light is present and bears the thought of the indi- 
vidual to the mind of the spirit, and in the same 
way, bears the answer back, inconceivably more 
perfectly, rapidly and directly than the telegraphic 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 189 

system of earth conveys a message, because the 
thought is penetrative, and is transmitted as 
quickly as it is expressed in the individual mind. 

Spirits have their stated times for study, devo- 
tion and rest as do mortals, yet always in compli- 
ance with the laws of harmony. 

Among all the various forms of life there are no 
two whose characters are precisely alike; there 
may be a similarity, but in some phase and quality 
they differ and have different attractions. There 
is perfect adaptability in all callings. Some select 
one line of thought and, by a development in that 
direction, attract a higher inspiration through 
which a higher expression of work and a grander 
achievement are given. In the different callings 
in the material world, there is the natural .genius, 
whose stroke, word or movement is like unto na- 
ture. Others, however, are not so ingenious, their 
hands are not so dextrous, they cannot adapt them- 
selves to any special line, owing to imperfect qual- 
ifications. Yet all can accomplish something. A 
few are evenly balanced and may succeed in al- 
most any undertaking. With the majority there 
is some one thing, even though it may not rank 
among the higher forms of thought, in which each 
can attain perfection, if, fortunately, he ascertain 



190 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

what this specialty is, and receive through train- 
ing in early youth, when the mind is susceptible 
to educational influences, the primary impetus. 
Many do not awaken to a true knowledge of their 
true involution, on which is based their true evolu- 
tion, until they pass out of the form. These, as 
has been shown, return to earth to gather experi- 
ence. Those somewhat advanced, when suffi- 
ciently receptive, can unfold their dormant pov/ers 
on the spirit side of life. 

The universe presents conditions which, if mor- 
tals fully understood them, they could so mould 
as to obviate contention and failure. Progressive 
spirits make this principle one of the first studies 
after entering spirit life; therefore the spiritual 
spheres, as we have elsewhere taught, are in true 
accord, even in extreme conditions, with the spirit. 
The right and the wrong way lie, respectively, in 
the light and in the darkness. Life ever unfolds, 
and beneficent changes are effected only through 
eternal, immutable laws. Throughout the uni- 
verse these uniform principles or laws securing reg- 
ular and harmonious conditions, are enforced with 
a unity of purpose and diversity of unfoldment that 
makes life not only a continuous, glorious reality, 
but receptive of the Divine. 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 191 

From what has been said in regard to the desire 
of undeveloped spirits to learn through those yet 
in the earth-form, and of the kind treatment ren- 
dered to human beings by the more advanced spir- 
its, the duty of mortals to the earth-bound may be 
readily inferred. The golden rule is of universal 
application. It touches all grades and all worlds. 
Mortals should remember that their responsibility 
extends beyond the visible horizon. You are 
"compassed about with a great cloud of witnesses. " 
The unseen are more than the seen. Christ 
preached to the spirits in prison. All should gladly 
follow his example, all should have a kindly feel- 
ing towards the weak, whether embodied or dis- 
embodied. While firmly overcoming evil influences 
from all sources, each one should earnestly desire 
the advancement of his fellowman in all conditions 
of life, and in all worlds; then none will be troubled 
with "evil spirits." The so-called evil spirits may 
be undeveloped, but they embody the grand pos- 
sibilities of eternal life; the duty of each one is to 
love such and help them onward. 

i\s the law of evolution continues to effect benefi- 
cent changes in the states of the soul, civilization 
in the material world will advance, and with the 
unfoldment of the soul will come increased pros- 
peri ty and happiness among mankind. 



192 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

A great spiritual awakening awaits the world of 
mortals. When this millennium fully dawns, spir- 
its in the form will recognize in spirit messengers 
from the higher spheres their kindred, they will 
realize that all are the children of the same Heav- 
enly Father, and they will welcome the fruitful 
changes of progress which they suggest and en- 
courage as fundamental to universal human fel- 
lowship and felicity. 

Great strides have been made during the last 
two centuries, nay, during the last two or three 
decades, and still greater progress will unfold in 
the coming century. Then will Ezekiel's prophecy 
be fulfilled, and the mechanism of the inner wheels 
be revealed. There will be a generous shaking up 
of all the dry bones, and Spiritualism will rise en- 
throned, imperial and absolute in truth. Theol- 
ogy, sociology, medicine, law, science and govern- 
ment will all respond to the voice of the spirit. 
Symbolically speaking, bone shall come to bone, 
and all shall be clothed with the sinews and flesh 
of the undying soul. From the four winds shall 
come the breath of life. Every nation will con- 
tribute its quota of love and genius to the new or- 
der of humanity. Universal brotherhood will be 
the world's spiritual badge. And in "the open val- 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 198 

ley where once were many dry bones/' the temple 
of the living God, redeemed by the Spirit, shall 
arise where full-grown men and women, "an ex- 
ceeding great army,*' shall worship the Eternal 
One in spirit and in truth. The gates of the spirit 
world are ajar, the angels flood the outer atmos- 
phere with their effulgent light, and the river of 
love flows out to every wilderness and desert until 
the rose of Sharon shall bloom and peace fill the 
world forever and ever. 

Mortals may wish to know the view which the 
advanced spirits take of the Bible, the Atonement 
and the Resurrection, and hence we subjoin their 
teaching, more especially for the perusal and edi- 
fication of those who may not have considered 
these questions in the light of spiritual science. 

Spirits do not interpret the Bible as many mor- 
tals do. The Bible is a book containing many val- 
uable precepts and much inspiration, but it was 
written by human beings and in an age when in- 
telligence was not on as high a plane as it is in mod- 
ern times, and hence there is incorporated in it 
many errors of an ignorant and superstitious na- 
tion. It should be interpreted spiritually, not ma- 
terially or literally, and as other books. No one 
should allow himself to become a slave to the 



104 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

teachings of any book. It is necessary to exercise 
the reason, illuminated by the highest inspiration, 
on all subjects. It is the highest faculty, and by 
its supreme authority the Bible or any part of it 
is decided to be or not to be the word of God; 
Much evil has resulted by interpreting the Bible 
too literally, and by holding as sacred and obliga- 
tory the sentiments which it contains, irrespective 
of their truth, and which a higher philosophy has 
rejected. The world cannot advance in shackles. 
The spiritual world is anxious that the truth only 
shall be held as sacred, and it is the truth that 
maketh free. The spirit world regards Jesus as 
a great inspirational teacher, and not divine other 
than as all men are divine. Buddha and Confucius 
were also great moral teachers; each became a 
savior to his followers. Jesus lifted mankind to 
a higher spiritual plane and brought "life and im- 
mortality to light. " He lived his doctrine, and this 
made him a good and great example. Jesus prayed 
to his Father in heaven, and was in constant com- 
munication with the angels, as were also his apos- 
tles, and the prophets of the old dispensation. The 
Bible has been subjected to many revisions, to keep 
it in touch with the progress of the age, which is 
a lamentable mistake. Let it be correctly tran- 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 195 

scribed but not altered. Spirits value the Bible 
for only the good that it contains, not for the er- 
rors. 

As to the atonement, it is natural for barbarous, 
semi-civilized people to try to escape the penalty 
of their sins by seeking to attribute them to others ; 
and hence, when a vicarious atonement was 
offered in the "plan of salvation" by theologians, 
it found ready acceptance, even among people of 
high civilization. The idea that Christ had suffered 
in their stead, was a relief to conscience-stricken 
sinners. It was an Old Testament idea that sac- 
rifices, or the shedding of blood, was necessary for 
the remission of sins, and some passages in the 
New Testament favor this theory. Isaiah arose 
to a higher inspiration, however, and denounced 
burnt and blood offerings, substituting in their 
stead the doctrine of reason, good works and a 
pure life. But, notwithstanding the high inspira- 
tion of some of the Hebrew prophets, the ancient 
temples of the Jews would, in modern times, be 
regarded as slaughter houses. 

Christianity was, in its ceremonials, an advance 
on such barbarous customs and worship, especially 
in doing away with the frequent shedding of the 
blood of bulls and goats and substituting the sac- 



196 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

rifice of Jesus on the cross once for all It was 
morally worse, however, in that it substituted an 
innocent human being for the guilty. If Christ 
is, as some claim, God, the very Creator, it does 
not help the matter any but makes it worse, as 
his innocence is in that case absolute. That the 
just should suffer for the unjust is immoral, and 
this immorality is the foundation of the theological 
doctrine of the atonement. The fact is, Jesus 
suffered and died as a martyr; he went about do- 
ing good, healing the sick, teaching spiritual doc- 
trines. He was an ardent reformer, and the Jews, 
fearing lest he would establish an earthly king- 
dom, precipitated his martyrdom. They could not 
comprehend the spiritual kingdom he was trying 
to establish, and they put him to death. He taught 
the true doctrine of the atonement by his practical 
life, a sublime unity of the finite with the Infinite 
soul in love. Atonement (at-one-ment), stripped 
of its technical, theological meaning implies recon- 
ciliation to God; and as God is love, justice and 
truth, the true atonement (if mankind need use 
such a technical term) consists in bringing one's 
self into harmony with truth, justice and divine 
love. This can only be done by living a pure life 
— one of good works. The old theological doctrine 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 19? 

of the atonement, that men can sin, no matter 
how much or how long, and have their sins all 
washed out by the blood of Christ, is a most per- 
nicious doctrine, as it simply offers a premium on 
and license for sin. The doctrine is contrary to 
reason, and to all that is revealed in the laws of 
the natural and the spirit-world, Each one must 
suffer the natural penalty of his wrong-doing, and 
be judged in the court of his own conscience. As 
transgressors, the violators of natural and spirit- 
ual law realize their sin and experience the discom- 
fiture and evil arising therefrom. They may, by 
making amends as far as possible for an injury 
done another, by seeking a regeneration of their 
own natures, and a heavenly inspiration to sustain 
them and guide them to higher living, effect the 
only and real atonement possible for sin. It is the 
Christ in each heart who makes this atonement, 
that saves the soul from sin. 

As to the resurrection, it must be said that Paul 
had a true inspiration when he taught, "There is 
a spiritual and there is a natural body." At the 
dissolution of the natural, or physical body, the 
spiritual body is formed. This is the true and only 
resurrection, so far as the form of the spirit is con- 
cerned. The elements in the mortal body return 



198 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

to dust. They enter into other bodies and con- 
tinue for all time, and thus they serve the purpose 
of physical growth in vegetable and animal life. 
At the event called death, the spirit "arises into 
newness of life," The angel world is present in 
every death-chamber to aid the spirit in its effort 
to throw off the cumbrous material covering that 
holds it to earth. Clairvoyants have in many cases 
seen the spiritual body arise in its beauteous fash- 
ion out of its perishing house of clay. The spir- 
itual body is not, at once, strong enough to give 
expression to that which is within. When the 
spirit becomes weary from long suffering in the 
physical form, rest and quiet are sought, and from 
the natural elements of the spiritual atmosphere, 
strength and a new force to life are given. Many 
times, spirits freed from the body cannot, at once, 
use the spiritual organism and converse with 
those around them. They are taught by those of 
advanced spheres, the same as a child of mortality 
is taught to walk and talk, and gradually they ac- 
quire freedom of spirit and expression, How beau- 
tiful is the resurrection of the spirit! How loath- 
some and horrible the idea of the resurrection of 
the mortal remains! The latter doctrine is scien- 
tifically absurd and has no place in science, nor is 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 199 

it recognized by spirit intelligences. As spiritual 
ideas prevail more and more on earth, these crude 
ideas of the carnal mind will vanish. Let science 
reign and superstition and ignorance perish in their 
own grave-clothes. The spirit has no need of the 
old material covering which it has outgrown, being 
renewed by the Divine Parent who giveth it a 
freer habitation, one not made with hands eternal 
in the heavens, never unclothed but ever clothed 
upon in the endless cycles of eternity. 



CHAPTER VII. 

Scorn not a gift, however rare it be; 

God gave it and He loveth thee; 

He knew what each should do to grow the tree 

Of life for time, eternity. 

The sibyl forming words into a rhyme, 
Or seer who sees what sense cannot, 
Each vestal virgin who in trance divine 
Gives utterance to spirit thought, — 

All these serve man and God in duty's path; 
The medium is the instrument 
Who voiceth truth and good that spirit hath 
Inspired, and God in heaven sent. 

Attend the shrine where angels hover near, 
Accept their inspirations pure, 
Listen to thought of teacher, savior, seer — 
For truth alone can live, endure. 

Among the different human callings and adap- 
tations to natural lines of thought in life, each soul 
having its own peculiar surroundings and elements 
of attraction, there are those whose aura and con- 
stitutional qualities characterize them as mediums. 

200 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 201 

The aura, this subtle, invisible fluid, radiates from 
all bodies and all things, from persons and ani- 
mals, from planets, stars, and all forms of life, 
and designates to the psychometrist the hidden 
thought, nature and aim of each. It is the sign or 
symbol of the interior nature, visible in materiality 
only to clairvoyant mortals, but readily perceived 
by spirits. The term medium has a wide signifi- 
cation and is applied to persons of various degrees 
and unfoldment of medial power. A medium is 
one who is exceedingly sensitive or impressionable, 
and naturally passive or capable of becoming so 
at will. He need not necessarily be positive nor 
extremely negative or receptive, but he must be 
more than ordinarily receptive and sensitive by 
nature. And yet he may also, when occasion de- 
mands, be decidedly positive. The best basic or- 
ganism for mediumship, all other qualities being 
equal, is one of great vitality where the magnetic 
and electrical forces are harmoniously fused and 
divided. Such are extremely sensitive, naturally 
or unusually receptive to influences, or capable of 
becoming so at will, reasonable and patient, ordi- 
narily positive and with a large reserve of latent 
will force. With these necessary and fundamental 
qualifications, the greater the intellect and the 



202 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

finer the culture and the purer the spirituality the 
greater the mediumship or the office thereof, 
especially when of the inspirational phase. 

All spiritual phenomena are natural, that is, 
they belong to the order of the universe. There 
are occurrences that are effected by invisible agen • 
cies, spiritual in their source, though phenomenal 
in character, through a harmony of being and a uni- 
formity of spirit. These phenomena are a part of 
life and as natural as the law of gravitation and 
physical vibration. Mediums possess a varied and 
graduated amount of mental qualifications. All 
are not saints or philosophers. All have medial 
qualities. With most of them these qualities or 
forces lie dormant for want of unfoldment. When 
maturity of earth-life is reached, there is some- 
times an awakening of the spiritual perceptions, 
and a consciousness of medial power, but such 
mediums cannot easily be developed into any par- 
ticular phase. There are laws which regulate me- 
dial gifts and unfoldment. 

There are two general phases; the first is the in- 
tellectual or inspirational, the other is the phys- 
ical or phenomenal. Some psychic organisms pos- 
sess an adaptation to either or to both. The latter 
is characterized by an equilibrium of the spiritual 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 203 

and physical forces, while the former prevails among 
those in whom a highly sensitive, sympathetic men- 
tality predominates, Both classes of mediums, 
when fully developed, are readily susceptible to 
spiritual influences. 

Mediumship is of divine appointment and has 
existed through all ages, and not being understood, 
has been generally ridiculed and rejected. Only 
the elect or spiritually awakened have accepted it. 

There is a deep, silent conviction among the 
more intelligent, honest thinkers that a great truth 
underlies the sublime doctrines of Spiritualism, but 
they are patiently waiting for time and evolution 
to crown their manhood with sufficient moral cour- 
age to seek the truth for its sake. 

It is not possible to enter into a minute mention 
of the elements and qualifications possessed by 
those of medial power. There are many subtle laws 
and conditions which permeate spiritual manifes- 
tations of which material science takes no cogni- 
zance, nor does it know or care to know of them. 
True, they transcend its scope, but since they are 
within the realm of spiritual science, they can be 
gotten at if the scientist would wish to know them. 
Spirits understand them and make them available 
in the diversified work of mediumship. 



204 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

Each individual carries about him or ner an in- 
fluence or aura, which is analagous in quality to 
the spirit, having its cause or center in the soul, 
and by which he or she is attracted to places or 
purposes; and hence through this subtle agency 
existing throughout the universe of spiritual be- 
ings, progress is made in all humanitarian spiritual 
work. In medial development magnetic and electric 
forces are generated and manipulated through the 
law of vibration by spirits, and in the production 
of spiritual and phenomenal manifestations. As 
chemists analyze the different elements and com- 
pounds in the material world, so spirits are able to 
detect and refine the atmospheric waves, known 
in solution as hydrogen, oxygen and the like, and 
through the nerve force of the medium, manipu- 
late and utilize them as the chemist forms new 
compounds from various affinitizing elements in 
his laboratory. As the photographer subjects the 
negative to chemical solution to bring out the im- 
age, so spirits subject their work to sensitive and 
receptive conditions, and hence, sometimes, dark- 
ness is used. Darkness in such cases is as neces- 
sary to the success of the work of the spirit chemist, 
as is the darkened chamber in the camera or the 
laboratory essential to the production of a picture. 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 205 

The various forms or manifestations of electric- 
ity as understood in the material world, become 
more refined and ethereal in their nature as they 
extend into the spiritual realm. 

Now spirit return, including its diversified man- 
ifestations, is as much a part of the infinite pur- 
pose as are the different systems of laws and pro- 
cesses throughout the material universe. As new 
unfoldments in material, social and spiritual evo- 
lution constantly arise, the law of spirit intercom- 
munication gradually reveals itself, and, as naturally 
as an effect legitimately and certainly follows a 
cause, intercommunication becomes more general 
and accepted. Ultimately, it will be universally 
acknowledged and the divine mission of spirit 
messengers understood. 

Mediums are of such peculiarly sensitive nature 
that they become psychological and in a sense 
mesmeric subjects to the spirit, and, for the time, 
realize as much the life of others as they do their 
own individual experience. When available as per- 
fect subjects they are constantly kept in a nega- 
tive condition, because of the frequent control of 
their organism by spirits. Therefore, they often 
silently suffer the mental and physical happenings 
of those into whose atmosphere they enter. 



206 • MARGUERITE HUNTER 

Thoughts to them are realizations. With medi- 
ums the spiritual sight, hearing, feeling and sensi- 
bility become refined and spiritualized, as they 
continually unfold, especially as they study and 
practice the laws pertaining to their own powers 
and nature, Thoughts and desires, whether of a 
kindly or wounding nature, projected through space 
by spirits or mortals, cause a vibration through 
the atmosphere, extending in the direction intended, 
and affects the truly sensitive nature in the way 
designed. 

Spirits, in coming into communication with their 
friends on earth through some sensitive subjects, 
manipulate the atmospheric forces so that they 
will vibrate and play in harmony with the spiritual 
elements and forces of the medium, and through 
this combined condition and the auric solution 
they affect their messages. They produce the 
thought by playing upon the different organs of 
the brain. This pertains to the mental phase alone, 
and exhausts the vital force and drains the mental 
aura to a greater degree than were the individual 
undergoing some long and tedious study. This is 
significant of the inspirational phase. 

The trance condition which we classify under 
the mental, is, of itself, a distinct phase. The spirit 



Marguerite hunter 20? 

Control throws an influence of rest or sleep over 
the medium's spirit, and takes possession of the 
organism, giving voice to identical character and 
often changing the facial expression. This con- 
dition is affected by the spirit control, the medium 
becoming the subject of physical influence. 

The conditions and forces necessary to physical 
manifestation are more intricate than those of the 
other phases. They comprise the manipulation 
and combining of various forces in nature. The 
successful work is accomplished by an application 
of the principles of both material and spiritual sci- 
ence. There are a number of phases pertaining 
to physical mediumship, yet, in their order of 
change, each one requires a different quality of 
elements. The materializing phase has within it- 
self three different classes of manifestation, the 
independent, the personation, and the etherealiza- 
tion. All are equally exhaustive of the medium's 
vital force. In independent materialization, the 
medium's spirit is suspended for a time, while the 
life action of the physical organism is kept up or 
sustained by the magnetic currents, manipulated 
by the controlling spirit. Independent materiali- 
zation comprises the extraction of portions of all 
the elements and principles within and surround- 



208 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

ing the sensitive subject, but within a limited ra- 
dius or degree of the auric essence, together with 
the magnetic and electric forces and other neces- 
sary elements gathered from the circle. All such 
is utilized for the one grand purpose. This pro- 
cess results in the temporary forming of the body 
through which the spirit manifesting may give ut- 
terance to thought and even similarity of form 
and feature for identification. The forces or ele- 
ments are extracted from the circle and centered 
through the medium. The temporary form must 
necessarily partake not only of the composite char- 
acteristics of the form of the members of the circle 
and medium, but likewise have, in a sense, the 
semblance of voice, more especially of the medium 
who serves as the battery. So closely and sensi- 
tively harmonized and outwrought are the condi- 
tions of this phase that the intrusion of a foreign 
thought will ruffle and mar the expression, chang- 
ing almost instantaneously the countenance and 
outward vision of form; and at such times should 
the electric chain of the circle be broken or any 
disturbance arise, the elements that were used to 
form the temporary body then immediately sepa- 
rate and return to their source, back to each center 
and medium by the chemical law of attraction. 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 209 

Mediums are subjects of the spiritual world in all 
phases. They cannot command any form of man- 
ifestation, Now the spirit, in order to give mate- 
rial form and manifestation, must employ the 
elements known to earth spheres and weave from 
them the material garment. The spirit thus for com- 
parison moulds the form to resemble it; the me- 
dium, being the sensitive or polar center, must 
necessarily become a party to the phenomenon. 
Great harm is sometimes done by ignorant, dis- 
trustful investigators in creating disturbance dur- 
ing a seance for materialization. This phase is 
difficult to produce, and often unsatisfactory, chiefly 
because not understood. The medial qualities 
essential to the phase of independent materializa- 
tion are in the nerve-fluids of the body and 
can be generated by proper elements and forces 
known to spiritual science. Under these condi- 
tions, with surroundings of harmony and uniform- 
ity of thought, materialization can be wonderfully 
demonstrated. The spirit, during the interval of 
manifesting, can be easily disturbed by a thought 
that may vibrate through the air to the spirit thus 
engaged and in an instant retard and dispel all ex- 
pression, if not impair and dissolve the form, for 
spirit is sensitive and easily repelled by conditions 
of inharmony. 



210 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

The nerve force or fluid gathered from the me- 
dium is a part of the physical organism, but bor- 
rowed by the operating guides, and must be 
returned to sustain the spirit in its office while em- 
bodied. If left to the controlling spirit, a reflex or 
reaction through natural laws will never prove in- 
jurious to either the medium or the sitters, whereas 
a sudden disturbance (such as seizing the form 
or otherwise destroying conditions of harmony), 
returns the forces and elements so suddenly that 
they tend to stun and paralyze the nerve tissues, 
sometimes causing long illness and suffering. In- 
vestigators should bear this fact ever in mind. 

The second phase of materialization is that known 
as personation or transfiguration. This is the 
weaker phase. The medium for such phenomena 
is possessed of that peculiar electrical combination 
which spirits can easily control and thus by such 
control change the form, the facial expression and 
the voice of the instrument to represent the spirit 
presented, and can do this as easily as mortals can 
mould a ball of clay at will. The spirit identity 
of the medium is subject to a condition of rest 
and sleep, the same as in an independent material- 
ization. The spirit immortal then takes possession 
of the organism, assuming individual identity, 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 211 

sometimes as it is in its home in spirit life, but 
more often and for recognition of the friends of 
earth, as it was when in the form. This phase 
should be as satisfactory as independent material- 
ization, but it is not so regarded, The border-lines 
are so closely interblended that there is scarcely 
any distinction. Oftentimes a medium possessing 
materializing qualities, is used by spirits who find 
it necessary, either from lack of nerve-force or the 
proper elements of harmony in their subject through 
which to combine the conditions required for the 
building of the form, in personation to represent 
the spirit. Great care should be taken in stating 
these facts to the investigator, so as to avoid general 
misunderstanding and contention. Honest medi- 
ums often suffer in reputation because, since per- 
sonation is not understood by the members of the 
circle, or is not explained to them by the medium 
or some one qualified to speak, they detect the 
personality of the medium, and at once regard the 
manifestation as a fraudulent materialization. 

The first impulse of the skeptical mind in investi- 
gating the phenomena of materialization, is to 
suddenly seize the form, which can easily be done 
under the ordinary conditions of a mixed audience. 
Where there is harmony of purpose and confidence 



212 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

among the sitters, with proper atmospheric condi- 
tions, the spirit can be materialized and dematerial- 
ized at will, even while within the grasp of mortal 
hands, but when such experiment is to be tried 
there should be previous arrangement and under- 
standing to this effect between the investigator and 
the guide, so that no harm may follow the experi- 
ment. When two or more forms appear simulta- 
neously in the presence of the medium and the 
sitters, there is, in each case, a personality unmis- 
takable, but in such a combination and distribu- 
tion there is a division of the vital forces, and 
therefore, to affect such a multiple of forms, great 
harmony should prevail, as the requirements of 
the law of concentration for such additions are 
greater than for a single materialization, and con- 
sequently more taxing to the sensitive. 

Etherealization is the third and finest phase of 
materialization. It consists of the concentration 
of the most spiritualized elements into the vapor 
form; back of it are combined electrical forces 
sufficient to illuminate the shadow. In this phase, 
the voice can be assimulated only through the 
vocal organs of the medium and guide. The ele- 
ments required are unlike those of independent 
materialization, being formed more from the elec- 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 213 

trical forces of the personal atmosphere, centered 
in the medium and brought into compass and action 
by the magnetic currents as gathered from the 
stars. In each instance, the medium serves as the 
battery or magnet. 

In all these phases of spirit manifestation, the 
condition of darkness is, in a degree, required. 
Comment and adverse criticism often arise from 
this fact, but if mortals will but think, they will 
perceive that all growth is generated in the dark, 
all life is subjected to darkness in the matrix. 
Darkness is negative, and the generative processes 
of nature are, at certain and earlier stages, more 
easily established, unfolded and perfected under 
such conditions. In the negative state of darkness 
the magnetic and electric forces are even, while 
under the influence of light and heat, the vibrations 
of these forces are more positive and irregular and 
the elements used for such phenomena more read- 
ily exhausted. The same principles invariably 
apply to the spiritual universe in all activities as 
to the material kingdom. 

There are many phases pertaining to physical 
phenomena as demonstrated through spirit power. 
Similarly but specially organized individuals have 
an aura that favors these manifestations, all of 



214 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

which are produced under and through the differ- 
entiated condition of darkness. Any manifestation 
of the material form or character comes under the 
head of physical phenomena. The process or modus 
operandi for their production is in concentrating 
the forces in some special form in obedience to 
law, and further, by forming a battery by the join- 
ing of hands of the sitters in a partial or complete 
circle. The nerve and auric forces are drawn from 
the members of the circle and focused in the sensi- 
tive, whence proceed the outward expressions which 
must necessarily, so far as quality and character 
are concerned, partake of the predominant char- 
acteristics of the circle. If any of the sitters be 
of a gross and rough nature, the physical manifesta- 
tions will be of the same character, while, if the 
members who convene are of an earnest mind and 
have an honest purpose, only desirous for spiritual 
truth, the vibrations of force will accord with their 
mental state and be even, quiet and harmonious, 
and hence the results of the spirit in manifestations 
will be of the same nature. 

In our teaching we have tried to be brief, and 
hence it is not necessary to elaborate more exten- 
sively upon the subject of conditions and forces re- 
quired for spiritual manifestation. 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 215 

In the production of all kinds of physical phe- 
nomena the laws and principles are the same as in 
materialization. Some mediums are entranced 
during the giving of such phenomena, but rarely is 
this done outside of materialization. 

The independent slate-writing phase comes nat- 
urally under the head of physical phenomena, but 
is involved in more intricate laws and conditions, 
because both mental and physical forces are used, 
and are used independently of the will of the me- 
dium. The writing is usually, but not necessarily, 
obtained under the adverse physical surrounding 
of light. It is not possible to explain in full all 
the processes and laws pertaining to this phase, 
as science in the material world has no recognition 
or understanding of them. Slate-writing mediums 
possess and furnish the quota of nerve force nec- 
essary for the manipulation of the pencil by the 
spirit, or, as is sometimes the case, the reproduc- 
tion on slates of the photographic reflection of the 
thought impressed on the brain of the medium. 
In the independent slate-writing phase, the me- 
dium must possess a large amount of physical, 
magnetic and electric energy, which is extracted, 
combined and independently used by the spirit in 
obedience to spiritual laws pertaining to the science 



210 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

of penetration. Darkness in a degree is needed, as 
is noticed, when the pencil is placed between two 
slates. When a pencil is used, it is manipulated 
by spirit forces through material and spiritual laws, 
the forces being concentrated at a center or point 
within the compass of the writing, in most cases 
the medium not being cognizant of the thought 
transmitted. 

Through other mediums who are differently con- 
stituted, or who sometimes, when conditions are 
imperfect, cannot receive the writing, as we have 
shown, it is necessary to impress the mind of the 
medium with the theme or thought, before it can 
be transmitted by means of the pencil to the slate. 
In neither case does the medium do the writing. 
Should the forces become exhausted, as is usually 
the case in long communications, before the thought 
is expressed, the thought may be imperfectly ex- 
pressed, because the writing had to be hurried. 
The numerous laws that have a bearing on this 
one phase cause great diversity of form and char- 
acter in the writing, and make it difficult to sepa- 
rate and define each variation or shade of difference 
even in one message. This phase is most delicate 
in its operation. Its conditions are most easily 
destroyed; and hence it is most difficult to obtain, 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 217 

because of its intricate spiritual laws and medial 
requirements. The vibrations are so fine that a 
contrary thought can mar or destroy them. Yet 
it is the phase that is so convincing to the skeptic 
because of its outward and free demonstration, 
thus enabling the investigator to fully test its gen- 
uine character openly. All spirits do not under- 
stand this branch of spiritual science, and cannot 
comply with the law of direct communication 
through this particular phase, and hence most often 
the operating spirit writes the message from dic- 
tation of the spirit communicating. 

There is a natural law for the communication of 
thought of which spirits, in their free condition 
and atmosphere, avail themselves, understanding 
and using it as naturally as do the children of 
earth, who, through a law of mental association, 
learn to give outward expression to their thought 
which appeals to the mind through the senses. 
Spirits, free of the material form, readily enter into 
soul-thought and understanding. They converse 
by thought transference, and in returning, in order 
to communicate with their friends on earth, they 
sometimes find difficulty in again taking up the 
symbols or language of mortals. More especially 
difficult is it when a long time has intervened or 



2is Marguerite hunter 

elapsed before they are called upon to do so. 
They find it difficult to give identical expression. 
As mortals grow in understanding, they change 
their thought and expressions of their thought; so 
also do spirits, as they pass on to the higher grades 
of individuality and spheres of light, making it 
difficult to again resume the habits of earth-life. 
There are also other difficulties that occasion this 
variance and retrogression. There are occasions 
when the communications are carried down through 
messengers to the guide of the medium, and hence 
there must necessarily be, in part, a similarity of 
expression common to all, or even an interblending 
into one form, as in the mixing of several colors 
there is a seeming semblance of each without 
exactness. 

Sometimes there is free and independent expres- 
sion, but more often the form of the thought par- 
takes of the medium or sitter or both, because the 
forces used in the translation of the thought are 
drawn from either or both; and, besides, there is a 
condition of harmony of thought which, like blended 
waters, affects the reflected image of thought. To 
produce direct, unblemished communication, there 
should t*e a pure spiritual atmosphere and an ear- 
nest desire for the truth, The investigator should 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 219 

first be honest with himself and with the medium. 
Mediums are sensitive. They are subjects through 
whom all influences can, in a sense, communicate. 
Such thought or results as you seek you will re- 
ceive, as like attracts like. Some spirits who, 
when in the body, delighted to take part in decep- 
tion, often delight in so returning, thus deceiving 
the skeptic who is self-conceited and arrogant, for all 
have not outgrown their former environments and 
character, and by opening the way with thoughts 
of dishonesty and infidelity or immorality, these 
spirits step in and take part, more especially among 
those where the medium or such an one's special 
phase of mediumship is undeveloped, or the guid- 
ing influences or controls are not permanently es- 
tablished. 

The next phases in order are clairvoyance and 
clairaudience, and psychometry. Often the first 
two, and occasionally the latter accompany the 
physical phase. They are gifts or qualities that 
belong to every organism, and though latent, can, 
in special cases, be developed to some and often 
to a full extent. They are more practical and 
serviceable to some than to others, but are prom- 
inent in all the higher phases of mediumship. With 
some, each one is a distinct phase, that is, one is 



220 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

developed clairvoyantly or along the other lines. 
The spirit operating on such subjects manipulates 
the different faculties of the mind and organs of 
the brain simultaneously, making the spiritual sense 
more clear, either in respect to sight, hearing or 
touch, with some it being a conscious and with 
others an unconscious condition. 

In psychometry, the spiritual sense and vision 
become so sensitive that the medium, by coming in 
contact with individuals or objects, can read their 
history, by the various vibrations or aura surround- 
ing each, for causes may be traced from their 
effects. In further explanation of this one phase 
it can be said that as one condition brings about 
a result, so does that result, in time, cause some 
other condition to follow. In each case, the effect of 
a preceding cause becomes the cause of a subse- 
quent effect, thus forming lines and links in history 
that reveal their secrets to the touch of the highly 
sensitive psychometrist. Spirits are, also, able to 
trace these conditions from the aura or emanations 
of things closely connected and affinitized. All rel- 
ative circumstances loom up before them, as do 
also the events in the lives of those who are closely 
associated with them. Each aura having, in some 
way, an individual reflection, nothing is lost and 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 221 

life is an open, transparent book. Spirits can always 
give to mortals all that is perfectly clear to them, 
but as there is a limit to material expression, also 
to the capacity of human faculties, for this reason 
communications are often given in symbols. Psy- 
chometry interprets the action and force of life. It 
is a spiritual science of soul-force, peculiar to and 
complete in itself. Its estimates or measurements 
are based on soul perceptions which are quickened 
or awakened as they are brought into the mag- 
netic aura of persons and objects. 

The conditions leading to or affecting spirit com- 
munication, in all phases where mediumship of 
course is involved, are that of harmony and uni- 
formity of purpose. Spirits, while more sensitive 
than mortals, yet cannot, of themselves, perceive 
beyond the boundary of their own sphere. Good 
thoughts and lofty aspirations aid and strengthen 
the spirit, but gross thoughts and evil purposes are 
baleful, and tend to dispel direct, unblemished 
communications between the two worlds. 

The different laws pertaining to the concentra- 
tion of the spiritual and material forces, though uni- 
form, are, in each case, adapted and applied to 
the organism of the medium, and the different pha- 
ses through which phenomena are demonstrated. 



222 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

The operating spirit or guide is able to define the 
application of these laws or dictate their use in 
this respect by studying the genius underlying each 
particular case. 

The use of music at seances is for the purpose 
of forming a serene, unalloyed condition of mental 
harmony that assists in perfecting the highest spir- 
itual results. 

Intuition, like perception or consciousness, is 
direct or immediate knowledge of the soul and inde- 
pendent of any reasoning process. It is the oppo- 
site of tuition. It is direct and divine inspiration. 

The impressional phase of mediumship is as much 
a gift of mediumship as the inspirational, similar 
in character, though less marked, spirit impres- 
sions being received suddenly and without formal 
thought. Spirits often impress mortals at night, 
by dreams, because when in the more positive, 
wakeful state there is a lack of receptivity, through 
which condition they cannot reach them effectually. 
This phase is not always reliable, as much depends 
upon the physical condition of those upon whose 
mind the spirit would impress its thought. 

It is not necessary for an individual to believe 
in spiritual phenomena to receive spirit communi- 
cations or other manifestations of spirit power. 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 223 

If the person be medial and there is a strong de- 
termination on his part to be positive, the nervous 
system then becomes secretive, and withholds that 
peculiar aura, or electrical fluid which is contin- 
ually thrown off, and which is necessary to the 
forming of material conditions for spiritual results, 
and so closes absolutely for the time the avenues 
to spirit power. This accounts for many failures 
of those seeking spirit demonstrations. Magnet- 
ism is one of the agents employed by spirits to ac- 
complish the outward expression of whatever char- 
acter, and mortals have the power of withholding 
this, since by exerting the will power for or against, 
the magnetism is generated or suppressed by a 
process conveying with it a characteristic force, 
rendering communication impossible. 

There are fixed laws through which all spiritual 
phenomena occur. These laws are uniform and 
common to all the different spheres and planets in 
the universe. By the same law that Moses, Sam- 
uel and Jesus held converse with the saints, com- 
munications are had to-day with those who have 
passed beyond the scenes of earth. There is a 
continual interblending of the two worlds, that is 
not apparent to the uninitiated mortal. Those 
who seek the truth fearlessly reap their reward; 



224 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

their own ambition and thoughts governing the 
result for the good. Those who seek not for truth 
nor care for light, have also their reward, the re- 
ward of the sluggard, of him who hid his talent in 
the earth. You can draw or repel the dear ones. 
Blood ties, social caste, wealth, count for nothing. 
Where there are pure designs, none but pure spir- 
its or those seeking purity will be attracted. To 
the pure the Divine is revealed. As you aspire, so 
will you receive and grow spiritually. Whenever 
or wherever a false communication is received, 
there will invariably be found false conditions, 
sometimes created by false intentions in the sit- 
ters or a mercenary spirit in the medium. 

All mediumship has the one and the same origin, 
and is a gift as natural and real as that of music 
and is as essential to soul in outworking human 
destiny as is life itself or the brain of man, It 
unfolds in quality and diversity with each genera- 
tion. Co-operative societies from the spirit side 
of life are constantly exerting an influence over 
those of earth who possess psychic power, that 
they may develop the qualities necessary to the 
unfoldment of mediumship. The spiritual world 
has need of more mediums, true laborers in the 
service of humanity. The harvest is ready. Their 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 225 

assistant of co-operative societies are constantly 
in search for such, and there are those whose office 
it is to select, and form bands for the guidance of 
individuals of even the slightest degree of medial 
power. 

Mediumship is more easily, more generally de- 
veloped in youth; then, the qualities can be more 
easily moulded into their characteristic and or- 
dained phases. There have been, however, some 
noted cases of mediumship developed late in life. 
In many homes, unknown to the world, there are 
those of medial power who are constantly being 
utilized by the spirits, in the private home-circle, 
for the good of humanity. This silent influence 
is so far-reaching in its results, growing stronger 
each day, that the time will yet come when it will 
not be an uncommon thing to clearly see and con- 
verse with friends from the spirit side of life. May 
each and every one help to hasten that glorious 
time. 

Gradually prejudice and opposition are being re- 
moved from the minds of mortals, and from those 
of like character in spirit life, who, through early 
teaching and a false faith, refuse to accept of the 
truth. The unfoldment of thought in the spiritual 
spheres is in touch and harmony with that of 



226 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

earth sphere, and as both become enlightened, the 
spiritual growth of the denizens of both worlds 
will become more intense, free and perfect soul- 
converse and spiritual vision will become a daily 
and universal experience, while the earth sphere 
will practically become almost a part of the spir- 
itual; so united will be the two worlds. Material 
environments will become less oppressive, because 
etherealized, and mortals will move on in perfect 
harmony with the spiritual and natural design. 

What is more convincing, solacing and beautiful 
than a knowledge of everlasting life? To know 
that earth's experience is not all that there is of 
life; to feel and realize that those whom we loved 
and cherished in the form, still live, and have 
grown to a higher understanding; to realize that 
they became administering spirits, returning to the 
humble home, encouraging the loved ones, impart- 
ing knowledge to them and inspiring them with 
hope and "the power of an endless life," is indeed 
an inspiration. Silently in divine light they enter 
the home, patiently, quietly waiting and watching 
for a favorable time for communication, making 
greater effort day by day than words can express. 
Who would not welcome them back to the fireside ? 
Mortals cannot fully appreciate these silent, spiritual 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 227 

influences that constantly guide them through the 
devious pathway of their earthly pilgrimage, infus- 
ing light into the shadows, tempering the too bril- 
liant sunshine, awakening the mind to all that is 
beautiful and good, in the present life drying the 
tears and sharing the griefs and burdens, educat- 
ing the heart and the will of the weak that they 
may triumph over the baser worldly desires and 
pleasures which so quickly perish, and elevating 
the thought to a conception of celestial grandeur 
and ideality of soul that reveals the true knowledge 
of life and prepares man for the home of eternal 
progress in the realm of the heavenly mansions. 
And yet how many open the locked door at their 
loving call or knock and receive their garlands of 
roses? 



CHAPTER VIII. 

O light, O love, O power forever near, 

O angels , truth and God the Good, 
May perfect love that casteth out all fear 

Be unto us our daily food. 

May we perceive within, the blessed shrine 
Where souls are made completely Thine; 

And there with Thee may we in glory shine, 
The White Rose of the Love Divine. 

From the character of the soul, as we understand 
the spiritual law of its unfoldment, we derive a 
science of duty and living, The teaching which we 
have heretofore given but foreshadowed through- 
out the pages the thought of the soul's character 
and destiny, and if, in what has been said, the trend 
of our teaching has been missed or overlooked, we 
shall here in a more practical and compact way 
set forth what we in part have hinted, Marguerite 
may have differed in her experiences and life line 
from the mass of humanity, although each mortal 
unfolds the life according to his or her peculiar 
needs and adaptations to environments. Yet her 

228 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 229 

character was uniform with all mankind in the law 
and destiny of soul. She, according to the law of the 
soul, reached her elevation step by step and through 
conditions as natural as the outflowing laws of na- 
ture. The gravity of her case was exceptional, 
but none the less a feature of her development, and 
as the shadow is associated with the light, nay, is 
the product of it, so the gloom through which she 
passed in earth-life and afterward while earth- 
bound in spirit-life related to the exceeding glory 
that should ultimately pierce the gloom, rend its 
veil and radiate her being. The direction of the 
shadow is ever established by the light, and moves 
with it. Here in materiality, the domain of shad- 
ows, where the real light, that of the soul, is not 
visible except as it sometimes shines out through 
the human face when under high and penetrative 
inspiration, as is often witnessed among the me- 
dia, sometimes among poets and great reformers, 
and rarely among men in the ordinary walks of 
life, the contrasts are those of material light and 
shadow, where in the kaleidoscope of nature they 
vibrate in forms beautiful and divine. In this vale, 
the light of the soul, from its own radiant height, 
is seen only by the clairvoyant eye or as the spir- 
itual perceptions are quickened and awakened. 



230 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

and so fine and pure is it essentially and so will 
it at last be when the veil of materiality and all 
that inheres in the soul by virtue of its experience 
while in the earth are utilized, that words cannot 
paint nor thoughts convey its superior and divine 
glory. Yet it is so ordained that as hope re- 
mained in Pandora's box after all the ills and dis- 
ease of life had taken their flight and filled the 
earth with their piercing thorns, so this light should 
be the gift of God that should at last reveal itself, 
More than this, the Greek allegory or myth teaches 
that ever underneath the devastating, disintegrat- 
ing and refining process of sin and disease, for the 
two are correlated, hope for this very possession 
of light should be found, as the evidence of things 
unseen but to be received. And the myth, like all 
allegories, had its origin in spiritual science; and 
root, stock and branches of the tree of mythology, 
in whatever land it thrived, sprung out of this 
science of which we speak, though conveying the 
lesson only in a crude form and a vague language. 
This spiritual light, the very subject of all its ob- 
jective forms which we see in materiality, the 
thesis of every antithesis in shadows or reflections, 
is the source of all material light, the fountain 
hidden in the soul; by which, as from the Over 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 231 

Soul, the various suns that expel light to all 
worlds, as from gateways into the outer kingdom, 
are fed. Could you as spirit penetrate the swirl of 
this mighty electrical orb, the sun, that is throned 
in a corona of light and which guides the planetary 
system unerring on its course — and all suns are alike 
in composition, quality and office — you would enter 
a mystic flame of piercing, blinding light, spark- 
ling like a mighty diamond from one central focus 
yet radiating forth a myriad of rainbows, inter- 
secting each other so as to form a circle of glory 
inconceivably brilliant and luminous, yet making 
a perfect white sheen without variation, and, this 
nucleus, a spark, in itself a vanishing point that 
inflows to the very center of the heart of the Over- 
Soul. And as this light, first spiritual, pure and 
white, outflows from its one center to the fixed 
point of solar existence and radiation, it becomes 
dimmed and veiled, until as it is seen in material 
form, even majestic in its glory in that state, it 
divides itself into the shadows of its own produc- 
tion. So all light that proceeds outwardly, that 
recedes from a center to a given circumference, 
first issued from a spiritual fountain of pure 
spiritual light. 

In this analogy we find a key to the evils and 



232 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

sins of the world, all of which may be designated, 
from the standpoint of birth into existence or ma- 
terial life, the shadows which cloud the spirit and 
hover about its sphere because of it. This light, 
however, of which we speak, the light of the soul, 
brings in material life not only its shadows but its 
laws that will, if understood and applied, give the 
spirit the power to overcome or dissipate them. 
We do not wish to become too metaphysical or 
abstruse, and yet, as naught that passes for conduct 
has any interpretation outside of conscience, so 
naught that is of this life, its sorrows and joys, 
trials and labors, its evil and good, has an inter- 
pretation outside of this light of the soul. As you 
go to a spring for the source of the river or as you 
go to the skies for the laws that solve the chemical 
construction of the dewdrop, so we take you for 
the understanding of the problem of life, up the 
strem of life to the source which is in the soul. And 
as man, the epitome of God in finite expression, 
with his mind, spirit, soul, can be explained and 
understood organically and his office and duty here 
in the earth perceived and realized, only in the light 
of his origin and being, we affirm that spiritual 
science which truly delineates man, has, and should 
have, the precedence over material science. The 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 233 

one deals with essence, being, soul and all that pro- 
ceeds therefrom, while the other deals exclusively 
and only with matter and organic man in matter. 
A philosophy of life that is established upon ma- 
terial science, will be both hopeless and helpless 
save as it is upheld and endorsed, nay, given its 
superscription and authority from spiritual science. 
Conscience and reason, the entire mental estab- 
lishment of the soul, which cannot and will not be 
subjected to either chemical or microscopical an- 
alysis, fall to the ground, if man cannot prove that 
he as spirit survives death, has a deathless and 
indestructible intelligence and power within him- 
self, which he can assert and demonstrate when- 
ever called upon to do so, either in or out of the 
form through mediumship. And though the pseudo- 
scientist, the skeptic and scoffer may laugh at this 
assertion, we firmly say that he has no argument 
for or against the immortality of the soul in the 
whole range of his agnostic science and philosophy, 
And for any one to deny this in the face of the 
facts which Spiritualism as a science affords of 
man's inherent spiritual origin, nature and 
being, is to prove himself an egotist and a foe 
to progress. We do not reject evolution as an 
organic process of life, nor say that when given 



234 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

its spiritual interpretation it is not the process of 
the soul's unfoldment, but we reject it in the light 
of spiritual science when it wildly and without 
reason premises protoplasm as the basis of life. 
Protoplasm is the basis of organic forms — that 
which vivifies protoplasm is at the basis of organic 
life, but spirit is the breath of life that issues from 
the soul; and the mission of Spiritualism is not only, 
in the light of its demonstrable revelations through 
the spiritual phenomena, to set science right, re- 
ligion right, philosophy right, but to give to every 
man, woman and child, the proofs of their real im- 
mortal being. For upon this proof which Spirit- 
ualism alone can give, and alone has given through- 
out its history, under whatever name it may have 
been received by its ignorant but loyal advocates, 
rests the entire superstructure of all true living. In- 
deed conscience, duty, mind, the virtues, the habits 
which lead to individual and national wellbeing, 
whatever of civilization in the form of the me- 
chanical and industrial arts, all that holds man- 
kind together, have their root in man's spiritual 
being, and could the atheist and infidel prove their 
claims the civilization that we rightly enjoy would 
be dissipated as a bauble and all enlightened na- 
tions would at once sink into the sty that sent 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 235 

Babylon and Sybaris to oblivion. Upon spiritual 
science that alone can demonstrate spirit, the hope 
of the world rests, and the time is speedily drawing 
near when the world will no longer be blinded to 
its own highest interests. 

We said that the light of the soul produces what 
appears to be its own shadows, and so we add in 
lieu of this fact that this light brings to the soul 
its personal responsibility. The injunction of the 
good book is "to let our light so shine" and this 
word "so" not only defines but qualifies man's ac- 
tion. How and when and where to let the light 
shine are all comprehended by the word "so," and 
this little word is really a synonym of "ought" or 
duty. The object of man, that is, the end or des- 
tiny of his life, is to let the soul shine in the light 
in which it was conceived, and so the great medi- 
um, Jesus of Nazareth, qualified the "so" by say- 
ing, "that men seeing your good works may glorify 
your Father who is in heaven." What more 
sublime presentation and exposition of duty, in 
harmony with all true teachings of spiritual sci- 
ence, could be uttered than this one of the despised 
prophet of Israel, and where shall we go for a deeper 
penetration of the office of light? Now not only 
does the soul per se emit light, which is its aura, 



236 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

and is the exact ratio and product of its unfold- 
ment, but the various elements of the soul and the 
many faculties send forth according to this same 
law of unfoldment a light that makes the quality 
of the whole light or aura of the soul. If it be 
true, as physicists allow, that light travels in rays, 
which we call vibrations, and each vibration is a 
ray or a delicate, indivisible thread of light that 
breaks into a prism of rainbows, perfect as the 
circle of the sun's aura to which we have referred, 
that not an atom spins in space but bears an in- 
tegral and organic relation to the universe, how 
much more should not the soul and all that is of it, 
emit in part and whole this spiritual light which 
comes from within? Hence, to develop man, to 
unfold the soul in any one or all of its expressions 
in embodiments, means to exercise, educate, per- 
fect every power and faculty of being, that the 
light of the soul may stream forth in perfect glory. 
Each power and function of the mind has its part 
to do to unfold this light, and should be a vibration 
or ray of the perfect glory on whose horizon and in 
whose sphere no mist or cloud, no darkness as the 
lack of culture, should be seen. And the outline of 
duty, the very extreme ends of the threads of this 
light, which is extenuated into the darkness of the 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 237 

circumference of the outward being, is, by birth, 
presented in the degree of light in which the spirit 
comes in embodiment. The duty of each one is 
to work inwardly toward the perfect light. And 
the way to do this is by giving the real light of the 
soul freedom of expression through the various 
avenues which we term faculties for the transmis- 
sion of this light. Faculties, whether imagination, 
reason, memory or sensation, are really but ave- 
nues for the outflowing of this light, the mind itself 
as an instrument, reflecting it as a mirror or re- 
fracting it as a lens. And the seeming variations 
in the offices and qualities of these faculties, are 
due entirely to the vibrations of the light as they 
proceed or recede in the soul' unfoldment. The 
soul is an entity, is entire, acts not in and by the 
use of one faculty but by the light of all; indeed, 
each one, while serving the soul, goes to make such 
light as we perceive or realize. In ordinary men- 
tal science the different faculties are assigned their 
peculiar office and quality. It is said that percep- 
tion is not reason, nor is either one imagination 
or memory or vice versa, and yet, the truth is that 
man is the whole consciousness and thinks as 
such. Memory does not do the memorizing, per- 
ception does not do the perceiving, imagination the 



238 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

imagining, nor reason the reasoning; the real man 
or ego, the soul, does all that has been or is im- 
puted to any one faculty. A faculty, really, is a 
mode of thought vibration, and so allied is thought 
to light that we have used them synonomously, 
although the light is truly the symbol of thought 
as we have employed it. An organ is literally the 
channel through which in the body the soul ex- 
presses this or that faculty or mode of thought, 
The mind is the reflex of the spiritual conscious- 
ness and is the mental function of the soul in spirit 
embodiment. The spirit is the breath of God, or as 
it is related to each soul, it is the consciousness of 
soul, its theme and object. The soul is the entity 
and has but one, unchangeable, eternal identity. 
The body is the material form of the spirit, and 
the form that the disembodied spirit has is com- 
posed of etherealized substances and varies accord- 
ing to the refinement and unfoldment of the soul. 
Now, all that we have said, though seemingly ir- 
relevant to the point which we make concerning 
the character of the soul, we mean so far as its 
conduct is concerned, yet has a special application. 
The character of man denotes and measures the 
degree of light he has unfolded or attained. If that 
character be evil or good as these words are com- 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 239 

monly employed, that evil designates crude, murky 
light and hence an imperfect mental and spiritual 
unfoldment, in short, a lack of soul symmetry in 
expression, as on the other hand, the good be- 
speaks the rhythm that produces the aura of light, 
fair to behold and shining as the sun. And hu- 
man responsibility is discovered and enforced ac- 
cording to the light that one has. Though the 
light that a man has be darkness and that dark- 
ness be ever so profound, the man is responsible 
only for that light and the use he makes of it. And 
such responsibility cannot be shirked. Light alone 
is permanent, eternal, absolute, because of the 
soul; darkness is transient, material, relative, and 
the direction of the soul is ever from darkness into 
the light. So that, if one is unfolding, dark- 
ness is fading away and light is growing in bril- 
liancy > and the sphere of light or darkness in which 
one dwells determines his responsibility and duty. 
New unfoldments of soul bring new relations and 
responsibilities, as climbing up a mountain peak 
widens the view and affords a purer, serener at- 
mosphere. Yet man is one and ever the same as 
an entity, in darkness or light, in the shadows 
of the valley or the effulgent sunlight of the 
mountain peak. Though his duty is one what- 



2i0 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

ever may be the state of the soul, though he 
cannot add to his real, innate, eternal, immutable 
responsibilities, yet the growth, the mental and 
spiritual evolution brings with it a greater empha- 
sis of what he dimly perceived as duty and vaguely 
comprehended as responsibility when seemingly 
under the bondage of darkness or materiality. 
And so character unfolds and becomes the expres- 
sion of love, of course in degree we mean, as man 
aspires for the perfect light, which we here sym- 
bolize by the truth; having some light, the human 
quality attaining step by step the quality of the 
divine, the soul blossoming into its own white 
light, the very image in which it was made. And 
none will accuse the soul, save the soul, all along 
its pilgrimage in the garden of the earth or through- 
out the eternal spheres. The soul is its own arbi- 
ter and judge. The 'scales it holds forever in its 
own hands and measures by the light of its own 
perception of truth its foul or worthy deeds. No 
blind justice with outstretched scales is conscience, 
when freed from the entanglements and seductions 
of the flesh, but open-eyed, pure-visioned, serene in 
divinity and blind only to public opinion and false 
standards, she weighs all unerringly, righteously, 
truly, and her verdict the soul never reverses. And 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 241 

all must meet conscience and confess their guilt, 
and ere they go one step forward or attain a higher 
sphere, they must undo their wrongs, make repa- 
ration and amends as did the husband of Margue- 
rite. No other white throne or tribunal save this 
one, walled up in the precincts of each soul, where 
before the world of light, out in the open air of 
all, under the piercing gaze of spirit, the soul must 
meet its God and effect the only real and effica- 
cious atonement. Not one of blood, or propitiation, 
nor salvation through the meritorious acts of a 
martyred saint and savior, not a confession to 
priest, friar or pope, not an absolution by penance, 
but an atonement which is a compensation for 
every deed done, exact and unfailing, at the bar of 
each one's conscience. Conscience is not an aveng- 
ing angel, but the angel of mercy and love that 
rebukes only to bless, that puts the thorn about 
the rose to protect it from evil in its blessed and 
divine unfoldments. This has been the teaching 
of all true seers who received the tuition and in- 
spiration of the spirit, and Paul who, with Jesus, 
shared a mediumship that gave their words and 
works an authority above those of the scribes and 
Pharisees, taught, that whatever a man sows that 
will he also reap, here and hereafter. And the 



242 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

Christian's Bible, yea all sacred books, are literally 
filled with inspired teaching, though mixed with 
much that is mortal, objectionable and false, which, 
in consonance with the standard ethics of the 
world, fulfill and' confirm what we here maintain. 
Thus, as in accord with the law of organic life, 
effect follows cause and harvests result from seed- 
sowing or cycles of evolutionary changes, so, in the 
spirit, it is likewise true that he that soweth to the 
flesh reaps destruction, but he that soweth to the 
spirit reaps life everlasting. That which is of the 
material is like the cloud, evanescent, temporary, 
but that which is spiritual alone is abiding. And 
if any one desires light he must unfold it, he must 
aspire unto the truth and the good and apply such 
light as he has unto all good works; so will he 
now here in the earth and when he changes by 
death his material habitation, reap the fruition 
of the Spirit, which is light and peace forevermore. 

We have in the natural life, then, the mere shad- 
ows and prototypes of what is real ; there is a heav- 
enly light toward which we should ever aspire until 
life is swallowed up in victory, death in life, all 
shadows in the light of the soul, which in the spirit 
world is the real light of sun, moon and stars. 

Concerning spiritual phenomena, all their diver- 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 243 

sified and interesting phases through medial in- 
strumentality, so far as their antiquity is concerned, 
and especially in reference to the miracles of the 
Bible, need we say that they are from one source 
and have been in the world since the birth of man? 
Their evolution dates back to a period beyond the 
remotest history of man, when Egypt was in her 
infancy, thousands of years before the dawn of 
Christianity and even as many thousands of years 
before Moses. Hermes, who is an Egyptian, a 
man of arts and letters and sciences, who lived about 
1800 B. C, just two centuries later than Moses, 
informs us that not only among his own people at 
that time, but among the Jews, mediumship so- 
called and the various phenomena of Spiritualism 
known in modern times flourished and that what 
was then known as magic, virtually man's power 
of controlling the ancient four elements, earth, 
air, water and fire, together with the higher phases 
of medial and spiritual gifts, existed and was 
universally practiced among those who had made 
profound studies of the laws of nature and soul, 
Astrology had reached a high degree of penetration, 
and those who practiced it associated it reverently 
with religion and God. Astronomy, though sup- 
posed to be the oldest physical science, yet was 



244 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

preceded by both astrological and psychological 
science. Man in the period of mental adolescence 
looked in as well as out and associated the soul 
and its states, pain and pleasure, and the map and 
line of its orbit and destiny with astrological ob- 
servations and castings of the heavenly bodies; and 
as late as Ptolemy, yet earlier than his time, horo- 
scopes of human destinies were cast that were said 
to be of unerring accuracy. Inspiration ever flowed 
into the soul and knowledge from within its won- 
drous sphere came and threw light upon the occult 
problems of life. Slate writing was known then, 
and Moses, the law-giver of the Jews, received on 
tables of stone on Mount Sinai his first impres- 
sions of the Ten Commandments, afterward re- 
vised by him under the guidance of his band of 
spirits. This moral code of the Jews, ever received 
by them as a revelation from God, was but a prac- 
tical experiment in the spiritual science of inde- 
pendent slate writing and proved the regnancy 
of the gift of that phase of medial power among 
those early Jews. Has the world yet outgrown it, 
or has it as yet attained in life the grandeur of those 
spirit impressions? Their antiquity but flavors 
more richly and sweetly their divine quality, and 
in line with them even material ethics and science, 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 245 

to say nothing of subsequent inspirations and 
teachings of the Spirit, have ever kept pace, nay, 
they have unfolded in accord with and as a proof 
of their inerrancy. 

The Bible of the Jews is itself a powerful wit- 
ness to the facts of Spiritualism. Rationalism has 
repeatedly sought to destroy the Bible and under- 
mine its authority as a work of inspiration. Yet, 
while we submit that the Bible contains blemishes, 
fables, errors, inaccuracies, it has a divine and 
spiritual origin that neither reason nor science can 
destroy. And Spiritualism, as modernly inter- 
preted, gives to the receptive and fair-minded 
student an insight into its hitherto occult and 
seemingly mysterious, if not miraculous or super- 
natural character, that which historical and textual 
criticism cannot and never could give. The pages 
open up in the light of recent spiritual phenomena, 
which have a counterpart in the Bible correspond- 
ing even in their details, and reveal the old but ever 
new workings of the Spirit. 

Spiritualism as a word is not even new, having 
roots in all languages and referring to the same sub- 
ject or class of phenomena. The word is as old as 
Spirit. 

The evolution of man, along the line of inspira- 



246 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

tional teaching and as affected by spiritual phenom- 
ena, has been and is real, aggressive, permanent. 
The Bible itself, were there no other and alleged 
secular proof, is a positive and clear demonstration 
of this slow but inevitable growth, for it is a record, 
not of the psychic experiences of one man or one 
class of men, but of many men and many classes 
of men of one nation, in their relation to adjoin- 
ing or distant peoples, and much foreign evidence 
is given incidentally of the practice of the misno- 
mers, the so-called arts of divination, sorcery and 
witchcraft among other races than the chosen race 
of God, which set forth unmistakable signs and 
proofs of the universality of medial gifts among 
mankind. But these gifts were exercised among 
many ignorantly and among others violently, and 
among others for morally subversive or mercenary 
purposes; yet, the gifts themselves existed and 
led to the achievement of the end for which they 
were given to man. As social, political, moral 
and educational evolution unfolded, these gifts 
among seers and saviors became beacon lights on 
the highway of rational progress, through the ex- 
ercise of which nations were warned of their sins 
and dangers and the higher knowledge, the only 
true and plain path, was outspoken and outlined 



MARGUERITE HUNTER Ml 

Inspiration through chosen media, in all ages 
throughout the world, has ever directed and led the 
fate of humanity. That nation that stoned and 
killed its prophets and mediums paid the penalty 
for such crime by speedy decay and destruction. 
Wherever the voice of prophecy was scorned or 
hushed and the nation turned a deaf ear to the 
pleadings of heaven, God has inevitably visited 
upon it, through the natural law of its own folly 
and disobedience, the woeful penalty of retribu- 
tion. History is filled with proof of what we here 
affirm. But so has it been, in the wise ordina- 
tion and dispensation of Divine Providence, that 
the law of the soul's unfoldment, among the few 
as well as the many, ever fulfilled itself, and true 
to the letter of the spoken word of the Spirit through 
its media, each age and generation in spite of the 
persecutions, martyrdoms and deaths of mediums, 
opened with and even produced greater and a larger 
number of workers in the spiritual vineyard. We 
could show how this evolution of "the plan of sal- 
vation of mankind," as we interpret this phrase, 
proceeded from springs that bubbled forth frcm 
many hidden centers on the planet earth, how 
the natives of India, Arabia, China, Atlantis, 
Greece, indeed every remote or relatively remote 



248 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

people, followed the inspirations of the Spirit and 
were affected in their conduct, government and 
destiny in about the same way and for the same 
good end as those of the earth who assisted in the 
translation and composition of this book and by the 
Spirit. Mortals are acted upon in this manner 
more than they ever think, and what has been in 
this respect is and will ever be, until earth and 
heaven are one, until one brotherhood at one with 
God, the Over-soul, is established. The end is 
divinely possible, the achievement is but a ques- 
tion and matter of soul unfoldment. 

When, however, it is recalled that Jesus of Naz- 
areth prophesied, the spirit controlling, that 
greater things than he had ever done would be 
possible among his immediate followers, his dis- 
ciples, and some of these greater things were ac- 
complished shortly after his transition, as is re- 
corded in the Acts of the Apostles, why should the 
church ignorantly affirm that Spiritualism is a 
type of anti-Christ? Were the works which were 
done by the apostles, by Peter when entranced, 
by Paul and the hosts who talked with strange 
tongues on the day of Pentecost, were they the 
works of the devil and should man expunge their 
testimony, the narrative of the Apostles, from true 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 249 

Christian teaching as apocryphal? Nay, not so, nor 
should the church, if consistent, allege that the 
same law of prophetic and inspirational teaching 
which Jesus, by his own testimony, said that he 
came to fulfill, Spiritualism destroys. Either the 
phenomena of Spiritualism are genuine and in 
accord with the laws of God, one in character and 
uniform in process throughout all time and all 
worlds, the facts of which are attested to by millions 
of rational beings, or the miracles of Christianity 
and Bible history are frauds. The two can and must 
stand together; divided, they both fall. One Spirit 
of truth inspired and operated them — and that 
Spirit was not the devil, but the intelligences of 
the Spirit world, and they inspired and operated 
them through chosen media for the good of man- 
kind. 

It remains to be said that recent archaeological 
and antiquarian investigations of excavated ruins 
of old empires, outstanding monuments as the 
pyramids of Egypt, have thrown much light upon 
the hitherto occult sciences, which were under- 
stood by these ancient people. As all religion dates 
back to antiquity, as masonry threads its way into 
the lore of the Egyptian magi, as there is naught 
of science in any or all of her branches that had 



250 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

not a beginning among the earliest people who 
inhabited the earth, as the day that now glorifies 
the world had a dawn in the East, so Spiritualism, 
old as nature, ancient as God, the exponent and 
corollary of all progress, light, truth, love, is to 
be and must be the solvent of life's deepest and 
most occult problems. But when we say this we 
do not refer to or designate any past or present 
form of it, but we mean Spiritualism, which, as the 
religion, science and philosophy of the soul, the very 
book of life in which we have read and taught but 
the introductory pages, ever unfolding truth and 
leading through inspired media capable of receiv- 
ing the higher lessons and laws of life, shall 
become the guide of humanity to the height of 
truth, to the light which is the light of the world. 
Man has within himself the gifts and powers, 
which, if unfolded and perfected, can make Spir- 
itualism just what we here proclaim. It is this, 
it cannot be less than it, and all other "isms" are 
but side lights of this all-glorious source of light. 
And the deeper lesson of this book is found in the 
teaching which everywhere at this hour on the 
spiritual rostrum and from lips of inspired medi- 
ums, emphasizes, above all creeds, all theologies, 
philosophies and sciences, above all pride, preju- 



MARGUERITE HUNTER 251 

dice, selfishness and self-righteousness, above 
power, fame, riches, above empires, nations and 
principalities, yea, above pleasure, culture and in- 
dividualism, the positive need and the saving pow- 
er of spirituality. And spirituality is the love life. 
Spiritualism as religion, science, philosophy shapes 
everything to it. The attainment of it is the ob- 
ject of all spiritual phenomena. And he who once 
learns through spiritual phenomena that he is 
immortal, eternal, that he is in the earth to unfold 
the soul into the God image, and then goes 
asleep spiritually, is bringing reproach upon a 
sacred cause and is missing the very object for 
which Spiritualism stands. 

We reiterate the lesson of this book in one sub- 
lime trinity of truth which is ever one, first, Life 
eternal, second, Spiritualism, the key that opens 
the mystic door to the truth, and third, Spirit- 
uality, the fruition of love, in the life of the soul — 
making the blessed one which is peace. And spirit 
Marguerite, with a garland of white blossoms in 
her hand, gathered from the garden of her own life 
experiences, imparts to each one who reads under- 
standing^ and lovingly the lessons of this book 
and, after reading, seeks to put them as a leaven 
into the life, she imparts to these who alone can 



252 MARGUERITE HUNTER 

receive, the inspiration of that love and truth that 
led her to the light and gave her the victory over 
self. May all follow the mystic white flame of 
love that burns from out the soul, and this light 
will lead all such to peace. For this is the light 
that lighteth every one that cometh into the world, 
and as many as perceive and receive it to them it 
giveth the power to become one with God. 

Lead on, O purest flame, lead on to victory, 
The love of God, divine, glows in thy light, 

Lead truly on until we feel the ecstasy 

Of life and live, nor shrink from Thee affright. 

We love thy light and swim within its aureole 
Of glory. We sigh for the effulgent day 

Wherein the sun of love shines purely, wholly; 
O keep us, Father, in thy perfect way. 

As angels radiant in a sheen of beauty, 

We would receive the true and fadeless smile 

Of thine eternal love, that true to duty, 

We may possess Thee fully all the while. 



APOTHEOSIS. 

The lily seed, transplanted well within the darkest 

soil, 
Ts symbol rare of soul immured within the mortal 

coil; 
The outward sun that shines abroad a radiance 

bright and fair, 
And gently draws the lily life into the upper air, 
Prefigures thus the heavenly plan that destinates 

the soul, 
And in the lily vine and leaf sublimely hints the 

goal. 

The tender shoot of lily vine, the leaf and blossom 

green 
Move ever upward in the thought of the diviner 

scene; 
The throbbing life within the plant breathes through 

and through the thrill 
That truly prophesies the bloom and shows the 

Father's will; 
And ever does the music sweet of wave and light 

and sound 
The lily touch on every side until the flower Is 

found. 

253 



254 APOTHEOSIS 

And, O divine, as from the mire and water in the 
lake, 

The flower sweet in purest white its sunny gar- 
ments take; 

And, O divine, to know indeed that work should 
lead to this, 

And bring to light the aim of life in one apocalypse; 

And, O divine, to realize that somewhere flowers 
white 

Will prove the law of lily bud, that darkness leads 
to light. 

And surely man at last shall rise, adorned in lily 
white, 

And from the mortal seed reveal the soul all pure 
and bright, 

The trials, toil, and passions base shall teach the 
end in view, 

And give man thought to use and make the life 
forever true. 

And, O divine, shall be the end when souls to an- 
gels rise, 

In glory white, in life divine, the lily of the skies, 



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